Three Presidents No One Remembers

Martin Van Buren William Henry Harrison John Tyler Martin Van Buren – He was the 1st president born in the United States. – He conceived the idea of the Erie Canal. – One of his ancestors was hanged in the Salem Witch Trials. – He served as Jackson’s VP – He defeated Henry Clay for the presidency. Van Buren as President • As Jackson’s VP, Van Buren had the support of the Democratic Party. • In 1834, opponents of Jackson formed the Whig Party. They supported the idea of a weak president and a strong legislature. The Whigs had 4 candidates that ran against Van Buren. • Van Buren never had the popularity that Jackson experienced, and soon after he entered office, the country experienced the Panic of 1837. This crisis led to a severe economic depression. • Jackson’s favor of pet banks and his plan to end inflation had led to the panic, however, Van Buren took the blame. • Because of this he lost his bid for re- election in 1840. William Henry Harrison • Born to a wealthy family, he was portrayed by the Whigs as a president of the “common man.” (Sound familiar?) • He had 10 children, 4 of whom lived to see him serve as president. • Harrison was a war hero from the War of 1812 (Battle of Tippecanoe-defeated Tecumseh) and had served as governor of the Indiana Territory (he helped implement Indian removal).

• The Whigs used Harrison’s military career to their advantage and portrayed Van Buren as a friend of the rich. • The campaign slogan became “Tippecanoe and Tyler too!” John Tyler was Harrison’s VP candidate. •Although the popular vote was close, Harrison won a landslide in the electoral count (243-60) and became the 9th president of the U.S. •Unfortunately, Harrison caught pneumonia during his long winded inauguration speech and died one month after entering office.

William Henry Harrison -served the shortest term as president EVER! John Tyler

• John Tyler served as a congressmen, Senator, and governor (all from Virginia) before being selected as William Henry Harrison’s VP candidate in 1840. • When Harrison died, Tyler became the 1st president to enter the presidency under constitutional succession. The Whigs were stuck with him, although he had shown no loyalty to them.

• Tyler’s deep belief in states’ rights led to immediate conflicts with the Whigs. • Because they had no control over the actions taken by the president, they refused to re- nominate him in 1844.