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 notable for the contentious struggle over Reconstruction policies in the post-Civil War era, particularly concerning presidential appointment power and the Senate's role in confirming those appointments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Andrew Johnson was the first U.S. president to be impeached, facing charges primarily related to his violation of the Tenure of Office Act.
2. Johnson attempted to appoint several officials without Senate approval, leading to tensions with Congress and contributing to his impeachment.
3. His lenient approach to Reconstruction favored rapid reintegration of Southern states, which alienated many Republicans who sought stricter measures.
4. Despite being acquitted by just one vote in the Senate, his presidency marked a significant struggle over executive power and legislative authority.
5. Johnson's presidency ultimately set precedents regarding the limits of presidential power in making appointments and the necessity of Senate confirmation.

Review Questions

• How did Andrew Johnson's approach to Reconstruction influence his relationship with Congress and impact presidential appointment power?
  • Andrew Johnson's lenient approach to Reconstruction aimed at quickly reintegrating Southern states led to significant conflict with Congress, particularly among Radical Republicans who wanted stricter terms. This tension was exacerbated by his attempts to make appointments without seeking Senate approval, which challenged the established norms of presidential appointment power. His actions illustrated a broader struggle between the executive and legislative branches regarding who held authority over government appointments.
• Discuss the implications of the Tenure of Office Act on Andrew Johnson's presidency and its role in the impeachment process.
  • The Tenure of Office Act was pivotal in Andrew Johnson's presidency as it restricted his ability to remove certain officeholders without Senate consent. Johnson's decision to defy this law by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton directly led to his impeachment. The Act highlighted the tensions between congressional authority and presidential power, showcasing how legislative measures could directly impact a president's governance and leading to a historical precedent in U.S. political dynamics.
• Evaluate how Andrew Johnson’s presidency reflects broader themes in American governance related to executive power and legislative oversight during Reconstruction.
  • Andrew Johnson’s presidency serves as a critical case study in American governance by illustrating the ongoing tension between executive power and legislative oversight during Reconstruction. His confrontational approach towards Congress and frequent attempts to bypass Senate confirmation for appointments revealed vulnerabilities in the balance of power established by the Constitution. The subsequent impeachment process underscored how legislative bodies can hold executives accountable, shaping future interpretations of presidential authority and reinforcing the principle that both branches must collaborate in governance.

Related terms

Reconstruction: The period after the Civil War focused on rebuilding the United States and integrating formerly enslaved people into society.

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

Impeachment: The process by which a sitting president can be removed from office for high crimes and misdemeanors, which was notably applied to Andrew Johnson.