Simplify the following text for a Grade 10 native English-speaking person.
Original: Initially , it was unclear whether the Vice President actually became the new President or merely an acting President .
Simplified: Prior to 1967 , if the President died , it was unclear whether the Vice President was President or merely Acting President ( though John Tyler and others who took over the office said they were not merely Acting President ) . Also , if the Vice President died , nobody was Vice President until a new one was elected .