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 closely associated with the Reconstruction era, a time when the nation sought to rebuild and integrate the Southern states back into the Union after the Civil War. Johnson's policies and approach to Reconstruction created significant controversy and conflict, especially with Congress, which ultimately led to his impeachment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Andrew Johnson was a Southern Democrat who became president after Lincoln's assassination, and he had a complicated relationship with both Congress and his own party.
2. His lenient policies towards the South aimed to quickly reintegrate former Confederate states with minimal changes to their pre-war social structures, leading to resistance from Radical Republicans.
3. Johnson vetoed key legislation designed to protect the rights of African Americans, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Freedmen's Bureau Bill, which angered many in Congress.
4. He was the first U.S. president to be impeached in 1868, primarily due to his violation of the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to remove Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from his post.
5. After his impeachment trial, Johnson was acquitted by just one vote in the Senate, allowing him to remain in office but further diminishing his political power.

Review Questions

• How did Andrew Johnson's approach to Reconstruction differ from that of the Radical Republicans?
  • Andrew Johnson’s approach to Reconstruction was characterized by leniency towards the Southern states, emphasizing quick reintegration without significant changes to their social structures. In contrast, Radical Republicans sought more transformative reforms, including civil rights for freed slaves and stricter measures for Southern states' readmission. This fundamental disagreement led to a power struggle between Johnson and Congress, highlighting deep divisions in post-war America.
• What were the key reasons behind Andrew Johnson's impeachment, and what impact did it have on his presidency?
  • Andrew Johnson was impeached primarily for violating the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to remove Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from office. His impeachment reflected broader tensions between the presidency and Congress during Reconstruction, particularly over civil rights and federal authority in the South. Although he was acquitted by just one vote, the impeachment weakened his presidency significantly and limited his ability to influence Reconstruction policies moving forward.
• Evaluate how Andrew Johnson's presidency influenced future relations between the executive branch and Congress regarding Reconstruction policies.
  • Andrew Johnson's presidency set a precedent for future conflicts between the executive branch and Congress concerning Reconstruction policies. His lenient approach towards the South clashed with Congressional efforts to enact more rigorous protections for African Americans, leading to significant legislative battles. The impeachment proceedings against him also highlighted the checks and balances inherent in U.S. governance, influencing how subsequent presidents navigated their relationships with Congress during times of national crisis and reform.

Related terms

Reconstruction: The period following the Civil War during which the Southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union.

Impeachment: The process by which a sitting president can be charged with misconduct and potentially removed from office by Congress.

Freedmen's Bureau: A federal agency established in 1865 to assist freed slaves and impoverished whites in the South during the Reconstruction era.