In this episode, we consider the presidency of the 10thPresident, John Tyler. Tyler was the first president to ascend to the position after the death of President in office, William Henry Harrison. This ascendency, as his presidency was fraught with difficulties and conflict. We consider the following:
- Tyler was not viewed as a legitimate president as he ascended due to the death of a President in office, William Henry Harrison.
- Tyler was the first President against whom impeachment proceedings were brought.
- Tyler had no real political base while President, as he had been in the Democratic Party until he became a Whig to run in 1840.
- Tyler was the first President to veto legislation based upon policy, not constitutional considerations.
- Tyler was the first President to have a mass Cabinet resignation.
- Tyler was the first President to have his Cabinet nominees defeated in the Senate.
- Tyler was the only President to face an open, armed rebellion from a State, the Dorr Rebellion in Rhode Island, up until Lincoln.
In addition to the foregoing, Richard Lummis and I consider the leadership lessons from Tyler in the following areas:
- His ascension to the Presidency and establishment of the Tyler Principle for succession.
- Economic issues, including the tariff and veto of the Bank bills.
- His handling of the Dorr Rebellion
- Texas Annexation
- The Princeton Incident
