JOHN TYLER 10th President of the US

The Election 1. President: John Tyler__ Number 10 VP – None 2. Political Party _Whig 3. Term of Office _ Who came before and after him, and what were their Political parties? W H Harrison preceded him (Whig), James K. Polk (Democrat) Followed him 5. Were there any unusual circumstances surrounding his ascent to the presidency? If so, describe the situation in specific detail. Tyler was the first Vice President to ascend to the presidency, replacing W H Harrison. As in any first situation there was confusion as to his right to be president. The Constitution said that the VP would assume the powers of the Presidency, but did not say that he would have the title of President. To avoid the dilemma Tyler quickly moved into the Executive Mansion and refused to be addressed as the “Acting President.”

The Office 6. Are there any catch phrases or terms specifically associated with this president? If so, list and explain them Tippecanoe and Tyler too. The accidental President. 7. When he left office, was it by: choice, defeat, natural death, assassination, or resignation. Explain your answer. A man without a party – Tyler declined not to run in the 1844 Election

Domestic Issues and Events Although claiming to be a Whig he acted more like a Democrat failing to resurrect the Bank of the US and vetoing all attempts by his own party to do so, his entire cabinet resigned in 1841 (except Sec. of State Daniel Webster). He was effectively disowned by his own party – Preemption Act of 1841 – allowed squatters to claim unimproved land to improve the land and purchase it at $1.25 per acre 1841 – Dorothea Dix begins the Asylum movement. Indicative of the many reforms known as the “Jacksonian Reforms” Statehood - Florida 1845

Foreign Policy and Events 1842 – Webster/Ashburton Treaty settled the border of the US and Canada between Maine and New Brunswick 1844 – Treaty of Wanghia. A treaty allowing US ships to enter Chinese ports for trading purposes – Began the annexation process of Texas