President Andrew Johnson

Definition

Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. His presidency was marked by significant challenges during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, as he attempted to implement his vision for reintegrating Southern states while clashing with Congress over civil rights and reconstruction policies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Johnson was the first U.S. president to be impeached, primarily due to his violation of the Tenure of Office Act when he attempted to remove Edwin Stanton from his position as Secretary of War.
2. His approach to Reconstruction was lenient towards the South, offering pardons to many former Confederates and allowing Southern states to re-establish their governments with minimal conditions.
3. Johnson's presidency saw major conflicts with Congress, particularly with Radical Republicans who sought more stringent measures for Reconstruction and civil rights protections for freedmen.
4. Despite his efforts, Johnson's policies failed to protect the rights of African Americans, leading to increased racial tensions and violence during this period.
5. He was not convicted during his impeachment trial, falling just one vote short of removal from office in the Senate.

Review Questions

• How did Andrew Johnson's approach to Reconstruction differ from that of Congress, and what were the implications of this conflict?
  • Andrew Johnson's approach to Reconstruction was characterized by leniency towards the South and a desire to quickly restore Southern states without significant changes. In contrast, Congress, particularly Radical Republicans, advocated for harsher measures aimed at ensuring civil rights for freedmen and preventing former Confederates from regaining power. This fundamental disagreement led to intense political conflict, culminating in Johnson's impeachment as Congress sought to assert its authority over Reconstruction policies.
• Evaluate the impact of the Tenure of Office Act on Andrew Johnson's presidency and subsequent impeachment.
  • The Tenure of Office Act played a crucial role in Andrew Johnson's presidency by limiting his ability to remove officials without Senate consent. Johnson's violation of this act when he attempted to dismiss Edwin Stanton from his post as Secretary of War directly led to his impeachment in 1868. This act was seen as an attempt by Congress to curtail presidential power, and Johnson's defiance highlighted the ongoing struggle between executive and legislative authority during Reconstruction.
• Analyze how Andrew Johnson's policies during Reconstruction influenced the long-term social and political landscape of the South.
  • Andrew Johnson's policies during Reconstruction had lasting effects on the South's social and political landscape. His lenient stance allowed many former Confederates to regain political power, undermining efforts to secure rights for newly freed African Americans. The lack of strong federal enforcement on civil rights contributed to a rise in discriminatory practices like Black Codes and later Jim Crow laws. Consequently, these policies established systemic racism that persisted for decades, shaping social relations and political dynamics in the South long after his presidency.

Related terms

Reconstruction:

The period following the Civil War in which the United States sought to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society.

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 was a key factor in Johnson's impeachment.

Impeachment: The process by which a sitting president can be charged with misconduct and potentially removed from office, which Johnson faced in 1868.