They Longed for the Presidency: Martin Van Buren

Published on January 18, 2005 By Gideon MacLeish In History

The continuing series on third party candidates throughout US History:

Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) is one of two historical third party candidates who polled a significant percentage to have actually held the office. This prominence, combined with his historical anti-slavery stance (he blocked the annexation of Texas during his tenure as president because it would add to slave territory), made him the ideal, high profile candidate for the newly formed Free Soil Party, which formed on the platform of opposing extension of slavery into Western Territories. Van Buren polled 10% in the 1848 as the presidential candidate, paving the way for the Free Soil Party to gain vital congressional seats (by 1852, they had 12 sitting Congressmen who had run for office on their ticket). In 1854, remaining members of the Free Soil Party joined the Republican Party.

Comments

NJforever

on Jan 21, 2005

Ah yes, I know of Martin Van Buren and the Free-Soil Party. I have a deep interest in Andrew Jackson, and when you study him you can't help but learn a little about Martin Van Buren. Only got 10% but severely influenced the election. The guy who won couldn't have won without him.

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