Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America

The United States has had 46 presidents, but only eight of them became president by accident. These men were not elected to the office, but they all served as president during times of great crisis or change. And they all left a lasting impact on the United States.

Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America

by Jared Cohen

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21081 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	530 pages

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1. John Tyler

John Tyler became president in 1841 after the death of William Henry Harrison. Harrison had only been in office for 31 days before he died of pneumonia, making Tyler the first vice president to become president upon the death of the incumbent.

Tyler was a Whig, but he was not a popular president. He vetoed many bills passed by Congress, and he was often at odds with his own party. However, he did make some important contributions to the United States, including the annexation of Texas and the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution.

2. Millard Fillmore

Millard Fillmore became president in 1850 after the death of Zachary Taylor. Taylor had only been in office for 16 months before he died of cholera, making Fillmore the second vice president to become president upon the death of the incumbent.

Fillmore was a Whig, but he was not a strong president. He was unable to resolve the issue of slavery, and he oversaw the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act, which made it easier for slave owners to recapture escaped slaves.

3. Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson became president in 1865 after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln had only been in office for five years before he was killed by John Wilkes Booth, making Johnson the third vice president to become president upon the death of the incumbent.

Johnson was a Democrat, but he was not a popular president. He was impeached by the House of Representatives for "high crimes and misdemeanors," but he was acquitted by the Senate.

4. Chester A. Arthur

Chester A. Arthur became president in 1881 after the assassination of James A. Garfield. Garfield had only been in office for four months before he was killed by Charles J. Guiteau, making Arthur the fourth vice president to become president upon the death of the incumbent.

Arthur was a Republican, and he was a much more effective president than his predecessor. He signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which created a merit-based civil service system.

5. Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt became president in 1901 after the assassination of William McKinley. McKinley had only been in office for six months before he was killed by Leon Czolgosz, making Roosevelt the fifth vice president to become president upon the death of the incumbent.

Roosevelt was a Republican, and he was one of the most popular presidents in American history. He is known for his "Square Deal" domestic agenda, which aimed to promote economic fairness and social justice.

6. Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge became president

Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America

by Jared Cohen

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21081 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	530 pages

FREE