Andrew Johnson

Definition

Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869, after Abraham Lincoln's assassination. His presidency was marked by a tumultuous approach to Reconstruction, where he clashed with Congress over the rights of freed slaves and the reintegration of Southern states following the Civil War. Johnson’s leniency towards the South and opposition to radical measures led to significant political conflict and his eventual impeachment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Andrew Johnson was originally a Democrat who became Vice President under Abraham Lincoln and took office as President after Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865.
2. Johnson favored a lenient approach to Reconstruction, which included quick readmission of Southern states and little protection for the civil rights of freed slaves.
3. His policies were met with strong opposition from Congress, particularly the Radical Republicans, who sought to impose stricter measures and safeguard African American rights.
4. The conflict between Johnson and Congress culminated in his impeachment in 1868, primarily due to his violation of the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to remove Edwin M. Stanton from his post as Secretary of War.
5. Andrew Johnson was acquitted by one vote in the Senate and remained in office until the end of his term, but his presidency is often viewed as a failure in terms of advancing civil rights during Reconstruction.

Review Questions

• How did Andrew Johnson's approach to Reconstruction differ from that of the Radical Republicans?
  • Andrew Johnson's approach to Reconstruction was significantly more lenient than that of the Radical Republicans. While Johnson aimed for a quick restoration of Southern states with minimal conditions, the Radical Republicans sought to impose strict requirements for rejoining the Union, including civil rights protections for freed slaves. This fundamental disagreement over how to rebuild the South and secure rights for African Americans led to intense political conflicts during Johnson's presidency.
• Discuss the implications of the Tenure of Office Act on Andrew Johnson's presidency and its role in his impeachment.
  • The Tenure of Office Act was a key factor in Andrew Johnson's impeachment, as it restricted his ability to remove certain officeholders without Senate approval. Johnson's disregard for this law, exemplified by his attempt to dismiss Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, provided Congress with grounds for impeachment. The act highlighted the struggle between executive authority and legislative power during Reconstruction, ultimately leading to a historic political confrontation that tested the limits of presidential power.
• Evaluate Andrew Johnson's legacy regarding civil rights and Reconstruction policies, considering both immediate impacts and long-term consequences.
  • Andrew Johnson's legacy is often viewed negatively in terms of civil rights and Reconstruction policies. His lenient approach allowed many former Confederates to regain political power and implement restrictive laws against African Americans, known as Black Codes. In the long term, this set back progress toward racial equality and contributed to decades of systemic racism and disenfranchisement for Black Americans. Despite being acquitted during impeachment, Johnson's failure to effectively address these issues has led historians to consider his presidency a missed opportunity for meaningful reform during a critical period in American history.

Related terms

Reconstruction: The period following the Civil War during which the United States grappled with reintegrating Southern states and addressing the status of freed slaves.

Radical Republicans: A faction within the Republican Party that advocated for harsher measures against Southern states and stronger protections for African Americans during Reconstruction.

Tenure of Office Act: A federal law intended to restrict the power of the President to remove certain officeholders without the Senate's approval, which became a central issue in Johnson's impeachment.