Changes

William Harrison became the first Whig candidate to win the presidency.  But as an arrogant man, he insisted on participating in his inauguration in frigid weather, without a coat or hat, and on speaking for over an hour to an outdoor crowd.  He caught pneumonia and died a month later.   

William Harrison became the first Whig candidate to win the presidency.  But as an arrogant man, he insisted on participating in his inauguration in frigid weather, without a coat or hat, and on speaking for over an hour to an outdoor crowd.  He caught pneumonia and died a month later.   

The president had never died in office before, and uncertainty arose.  The Constitution states that "In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President."  "Devolve" the powers did onto John Tyler, the Democrat who had long been opposed to what the Whig Party stood for.  (Only with the 25th Amendment in 1967 was it fully clarified that the vice president actually became president, rather than merely exercise the powers of the presidency).  

A president had never died in office before, and uncertainty arose.  The Constitution states that "In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President."  "Devolve" the powers did onto John Tyler, the Democrat who had long been opposed to what the Whig Party stood for.  (Only with the 25th Amendment in 1967 was it fully clarified that the vice president actually became president, rather than merely exercise the powers of the presidency).  

Tyler showed his true colors as a Democrat upon becoming President, and vetoed the national bank.  This infuriated the Whig Party, which was formed partly to establish a national bank after Jackson vetoed it.  In fact, Tyler vetoed the entire Whig agenda.  Within months the Whig Party retaliated by officially expelling him from the Whig Party, and referring to him derisively as "the man without a party" or "His Accidency."  Harrison's entire cabinet, except for Daniel Webster (who was finishing his negotiations of an important treaty with Canada), resigned.  Henry Clay from Kentucky was one of those who resigned in disgust.

Tyler showed his true colors as a Democrat upon becoming President, and vetoed the national bank.  This infuriated the Whig Party, which had been formed in order to establish a national bank after Jackson vetoed it.  In fact, Tyler vetoed the entire Whig agenda.  Within months the Whig Party retaliated by officially expelling him from the Whig Party, and referring to him derisively as "the man without a party" or "His Accidency."  Harrison's entire Cabinet, except for Daniel Webster (who was finishing his negotiations of an important treaty with Canada), resigned.  Henry Clay from Kentucky was one of those who resigned in disgust.

Tyler did not care.  In 1842 he vetoed a tariff, which infuriated the Whigs further.  Eventually John Quincy Adams, the former president, led an impeachment effort against Tyler based on his veto.  It failed, but it illustrated how little some congressmen thought of him.  No one had tried to impeach a president before.  Congress also overrode one of Tyler's vetoes with a 2/3rd majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, which was the first time that even happened.

Tyler did not care.  In 1842 he vetoed a tariff, which infuriated the Whigs further.  Eventually John Quincy Adams, the former president, led an impeachment effort against Tyler based on his veto.  That effort failed, but it illustrated how little some congressmen thought of him.  No one had tried to impeach a president before.  Congress also overrode one of Tyler's vetoes with a 2/3rd majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, which was the first time that ever happened.

Tyler lasted just one term.  In fact, every president from Van Buren until the Civil War lasted only one term, as the nation became increasingly divided.

Tyler lasted just one term.  In fact, every president from Van Buren until the Civil War lasted only one term, as the nation became increasingly divided.