Van Buren, Martin

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Van Buren, Martin (1782–1862) Eighth US President (1837–41). Van Buren served (1921–28) in the US Senate. As Andrew Jackson's secretary of state, his opposition to John C. Calhoun's idea of nullification earned him the vice-presidency (1832–36) and the Democratic nomination. An advocate of states' rights, his presidency plunged into crisis with the lack of federal intervention in the economic depression (1837). In foreign affairs, Van Buren sought conciliation with Great Britain over the Aroostook War. He was heavily defeated by William Henry Harrison in the 1840 presidential elections. Van Buren's rejection of the annexation of Texas and extension of slavery lost him the Democratic nomination in 1844.

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Van Buren, Martin

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