Martin Van Buren (1782-1862; see entry in volume 1) was the closest advisor to President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845; see entry in volume 1), for whom he served as secretary of state and vice president. As Jackson's hand-picked successor, Van Buren won election to president in 1836. Jackson had been a strong president: his administration was enormously popular and controversial. His support for states' rights against the powers of the federal government (except in cases where national unity is threatened) made him especially popular among southerners and among working people of the North and West.

Southerners were concerned about how fully Van Buren, a New Yorker, would follow the policies of Jackson, a Tennessean. Van Buren answered them in his inaugural address. After expressing optimism for the nation, which had prospered during Jackson's administration, Van Buren announced policies similar to those of Jackson. These policies included...