Just as quickly as the Whig Party gained control of Congress, they lost their majority. Whig president William Henry Harrison died within a month of taking office and his successor, John Tyler, was disliked by members of both parties. Tyler's widespread unpopularity lead to an enormous defeat for his party, as the Whigs lost 70 seats, giving the Democrats a majority. The Law and Order Party, formed in response to the Dorr Rebellion in Rhode Island also took seats.
