Whig Triumph and Disappointment

The Whig ascendancy in 1840 was one of the briefest in American political history. The Harrison Interlude lasted only 31 days. The successor, John Tyler of Virginia, had been a Democrat most of his career, but he had left that party to protest Andrew Jackson’s democratic extremes and authoritarianism. The Whig hopes were dashed by the Tyler Vetoes, which resulted in Disavowal and Impeachment efforts. Despite the bitter break between president and party, major events and accomplishments included:

• Repeal of Independent Treasury Act
• Pre-emption Act
• Conclusion of the Third Seminole War
• The Creole Affair
• Negotiation of Webster-Ashburton Treaty
• Signing of a Trade Treaty with China.

The most contentious issue to cloud the final weeks of the Tyler administration was the Annexation of Texas.