8th President · 1837–1841 · Democratic
Martin Van Buren
Avoided war with Britain and Mexico, but met the Panic of 1837 with little more than patience while working Americans suffered.
OverallC+GPA 2.41
The grades
- SovereigntyDid they put American interests first and keep decisions in American hands?B
- HemisphereDid they guard the Americas against rival powers and threats?B
- RestraintDid they keep the country out of wars of choice that weakened it?A-
- StatecraftDid they use diplomacy, force and alliances skillfully, on American terms?B-
- Industry and tradeDid they protect and build American industry?C-
- Working AmericansDid ordinary working families do better because of them?D+
- BuildingDid they build things that lasted and push the frontier forward?C
- NationDid they strengthen a shared American identity and the Union?C+
- CompetenceWere they capable, honest and effective in office?C
On the axes
MarketEconomyPopulist
Free tradeTradeProtectionist
RestraintForeign policyInterventionist
CosmopolitanNationNational
Dark dot: Martin Van Buren. Red mark: the Monroe Society. Ideological closeness to the Society: 67%.