“…The first vice president to become president on the death of the incumbent, John Tyler (1790-1862) was derided by critics as "His Accidency.…”

“…No single element of Boston's revolutionary history is of greater consequence than the reactions of the town's merchants to changing British mercantile policies. Under John Tyler's fine lens the special business interests of powerful individuals within this group are more clearly delineated and, as a consequence, their political behavior is better understood. …”

Tabla de Contenidos: “…Slavery and its impact on sectionalism (1619 to 1830) -- The rise and fall of abolitionism (1750 to 1848) -- Economic protectionism (1815 to 1828) -- "Old Hickory" comes to Washington (1829 to 1832) -- The bank war and southern nullification (1832 to 1834) -- The turbulent years (1834 to 1836) -- The panic and sub-treasuries (1837 to 1840) -- John Tyler and Texas too (1840 to 1845) -- The expansionist agenda (1845 to 1846) -- Territorial sectionalism (1846 to 1847) -- A time to compromise (1847 to 1850) -- Sectional politics (1850 to 1853) -- Filibusters (1849 to 1860) -- The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1852 to 1854) -- Political realignment (1854 to 1856) -- The fight for Kansas (1854 to 1858) -- From Brown to Lincoln (1856 to 1860) -- The end of the road (1860 to 1861)…”