President Andrew Johnson

Definition

Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869, following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. His presidency is often remembered for his controversial approach to Reconstruction and his clashes with Congress, which highlighted the checks on presidential power and the struggle for a balanced government during a tumultuous period in American history.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Johnson became president after Lincoln's assassination and was the first president to be impeached by the House of Representatives in 1868.
2. His lenient policies towards the South and opposition to civil rights for freed slaves led to significant tensions with Congress, particularly with the Radical Republicans.
3. The Tenure of Office Act was passed in 1867, limiting Johnson's ability to dismiss cabinet members without Senate approval, which he violated, leading to his impeachment.
4. Johnson narrowly avoided removal from office when he was acquitted by one vote in the Senate trial.
5. His presidency significantly shaped the future of Reconstruction policies and set a precedent for the limits of executive power.

Review Questions

• How did President Andrew Johnson's policies during Reconstruction create tension with Congress?
  • President Andrew Johnson's policies during Reconstruction were characterized by a lenient approach towards the Southern states, which frustrated Congress, especially Radical Republicans who advocated for stricter measures. His opposition to civil rights legislation and attempts to undermine the Freedmen's Bureau led to a power struggle between him and Congress. This conflict ultimately resulted in his impeachment, highlighting the checks on presidential power when it comes to legislative authority.
• What role did the Tenure of Office Act play in Andrew Johnson's impeachment process?
  • The Tenure of Office Act was a key factor in Andrew Johnson's impeachment, as it aimed to restrict his ability to remove certain federal officials without Senate consent. When Johnson dismissed Edwin Stanton, his Secretary of War, in defiance of this law, it provided Congress with grounds for impeachment. His violation of this act was seen as an attempt to obstruct Congressional authority, thus illustrating how legislative checks can influence executive actions.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of Andrew Johnson's presidency on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in the U.S. government.
  • Andrew Johnson's presidency had significant long-term impacts on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. His impeachment underscored Congress's ability to hold a president accountable and set important precedents regarding presidential conduct. The conflicts during his term fostered ongoing debates about executive authority and limitations, shaping future relationships between these branches. As a result, his presidency became a reference point for discussions about checks on presidential power that continue to resonate in American politics today.

Related terms

Reconstruction:

The period following the Civil War when the United States sought to reintegrate the Southern states into the Union and address the status of former slaves.

Tenure of Office Act: A federal law intended to restrict the president's power to remove certain officeholders without the Senate's approval, which played a significant role in Johnson's impeachment.

Impeachment:

The process by which a sitting president can be charged with misconduct, leading to potential removal from office by Congress.