justinpotts.com – John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, is often overshadowed by more prominent figures in American history. Though his presidency came at a pivotal moment and featured important decisions that shaped the future of the nation, Tyler’s leadership is frequently overlooked. Known for being the first vice president to ascend to the presidency upon the death of a sitting president, Tyler’s time in office was marked by political isolation, bold moves in foreign policy, and significant contributions to U.S. expansion. This article explores the complexity of Tyler’s leadership and examines why, despite his lasting influence, he is often referred to as the “forgotten president.”
The Accidental President: Ascension to Power
John Tyler assumed the presidency under unprecedented circumstances. When William Henry Harrison, the first Whig president, died just 31 days after his inauguration, Tyler was thrust into the highest office of the land. Until that point, the Constitution had been vague about what should happen if a president died in office, merely stating that the powers and duties of the office would devolve upon the vice president. Tyler boldly asserted that he was now the president—not merely acting president or serving temporarily—and moved into the White House, taking the full oath of office.
Tyler’s assertiveness set an important precedent for future vice presidents, establishing the principle of full presidential succession. However, this decisive move also sparked controversy and animosity. Many in Congress, including members of his own Whig Party, saw him as an accidental or illegitimate president, a man who had come to power not by election but by fate. This perception would dog Tyler throughout his presidency, contributing to his political isolation.
The Split with the Whigs: A Presidency Without a Party
John Tyler had been chosen as William Henry Harrison’s running mate in the 1840 election primarily to balance the ticket. Though he nominally belonged to the Whig Party, Tyler’s political philosophy was more closely aligned with the principles of the Democratic Party, particularly in his opposition to centralized federal power. He was a staunch believer in states’ rights and had little affinity for the Whigs’ pro-bank, pro-tariff policies.
This ideological divide quickly became apparent once Tyler took office. One of the key issues of the day was the re-establishment of a national bank, which had been dismantled by President Andrew Jackson in the 1830s. Whig leaders, including the powerful Senator Henry Clay, were determined to re-establish the bank, but Tyler vetoed two successive bills that sought to create a new national financial institution. This infuriated the Whigs, who saw Tyler as betraying their platform and undermining their agenda.
In September 1841, the Whigs took the extraordinary step of formally expelling Tyler from the party, leaving him as the first president without a party affiliation. His entire cabinet, except for Secretary of State Daniel Webster, resigned in protest. Isolated and without strong allies in Congress, Tyler’s presidency was beset by political gridlock, and many of his domestic initiatives failed to gain traction.
Foreign Policy Triumphs: Tyler’s Lasting Impact
While Tyler’s presidency was mired in political conflict at home, he achieved significant success in foreign policy, helping to shape the nation’s future through diplomacy and territorial expansion. Two of his most notable accomplishments came in the areas of trade and territorial acquisition.
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty
One of Tyler’s key achievements was the resolution of a long-standing boundary dispute between the United States and British Canada. The dispute, which involved the border between Maine and New Brunswick, had been a source of tension between the two nations for decades. Under Tyler’s administration, Secretary of State Daniel Webster negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty with British diplomat Lord Ashburton in 1842. The treaty peacefully resolved the border issue, defined the boundary between the U.S. and Canada, and strengthened relations between the two countries.
This diplomatic victory was a major success for Tyler and helped prevent a potential conflict with Britain. It also demonstrated Tyler’s ability to navigate complex international issues despite his domestic political challenges.
The Annexation of Texas
Tyler’s most consequential foreign policy achievement—and one that would define his legacy—was the annexation of the Republic of Texas. From the beginning of his presidency, Tyler was a strong advocate of U.S. territorial expansion, subscribing to the idea of Manifest Destiny—the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent.
After years of independence, Texas sought to join the United States, but the question of annexation was highly contentious. Many in the North opposed annexing Texas, fearing it would lead to the expansion of slavery and upset the delicate balance between free and slave states. Tyler, however, saw Texas as a valuable addition to the Union and was determined to bring it into the fold.
In 1844, Tyler negotiated a treaty of annexation with Texas, but it was rejected by the Senate due to intense opposition. Undeterred, Tyler devised a new strategy: instead of seeking approval through a treaty, he proposed annexation through a joint resolution of Congress, which required only a simple majority in both houses. This bold move succeeded, and in March 1845, just days before Tyler left office, Texas was officially annexed.
The annexation of Texas set the stage for the Mexican-American War and the eventual expansion of U.S. territory to the Pacific. While the issue of slavery would continue to divide the nation, Tyler’s actions undeniably shaped the country’s future growth.
A Divisive Legacy: Tyler’s Place in History
Despite his foreign policy successes, John Tyler’s presidency was marred by controversy and political isolation. His break with the Whig Party left him without a clear political base, and his vetoes of key legislation alienated many in Congress. He was often ridiculed by his political opponents, who dubbed him “His Accidency” and derided his leadership.
Tyler’s decision to prioritize states’ rights over the growing demands for federal intervention made him unpopular in some quarters, but it also endeared him to Southern states and those who believed in a more limited role for the federal government. His focus on expansion and territorial acquisition would have a lasting impact on the nation, though it also exacerbated the sectional tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War.
The Legacy of the First Presidential Succession
One of the most enduring aspects of Tyler’s legacy is the precedent he set for presidential succession. By asserting that he was the president in full, not merely an acting president, Tyler established a framework that would guide future vice presidents who ascended to the office. This principle was later enshrined in the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which formalized the process of presidential succession.
Though Tyler’s presidency may not be remembered as one of the most successful or popular, his actions in the face of constitutional uncertainty had a lasting influence on the office of the president itself.
Tyler in Retirement: A Return to Politics and Controversy
After leaving office in 1845, John Tyler retired to his Virginia plantation, Sherwood Forest, but his political career was not over. In the years leading up to the Civil War, Tyler remained active in Southern politics and became an advocate for states’ rights and secession.
In 1861, as the country hurtled toward civil war, Tyler was elected to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America. He strongly supported the Confederacy’s cause, a decision that further complicated his legacy in the eyes of history. Tyler died in 1862, and he remains the only former U.S. president to be buried under a flag other than that of the United States.
Conclusion: A Complex and Overlooked Legacy
John Tyler’s presidency was marked by significant achievements as well as deep political challenges. His leadership in foreign policy, particularly in the annexation of Texas and the resolution of border disputes with Britain, helped shape the future of the United States. However, his political isolation and conflicts with Congress hindered his domestic agenda and left him without a clear legacy at home.
Tyler’s assertive approach to presidential succession set an important precedent, but his legacy is complicated by his later support for the Confederacy. Despite these complexities, Tyler’s impact on the presidency and the nation’s territorial expansion cannot be denied. While he may be a “forgotten president” in the eyes of many, John Tyler’s leadership and decisions helped to shape the trajectory of the United States in ways that are still felt today.