POTUS

Andrew Johnson: A Contentious Presidency

Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) served as the 17th POTUS of the United States from 1865 to 1869, following the The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. His presidency was largely defined by his clashes with Congress over Reconstruction policies after the Civil War, ultimately leading to his impeachment.

Background

• Born into poverty in Raleigh, North Carolina.
• Self-educated and became a tailor.
• Moved to Tennessee and entered politics, serving as a mayor, state legislator, U.S. Congressman, and U.S. Senator.
• A Democrat who remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War, he was appointed military governor of Tennessee.
• Chosen as Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln’s Vice President in 1864 as a gesture of unity.

Key Events and Policies

• Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1866): Andrew Johnson|Johnson implemented a lenient plan for Reconstruction, which aimed to quickly restore the Southern states to the Union. His plan included:

  • Pardons to former Confederates who pledged allegiance to the Union.
  • Required Southern states to ratify the 13th amendment, abolishing slavery.
  • Allowed Southern states to establish new governments with limited federal oversight.
  • This plan was viewed by many in the north as being too lenient, and many states took advantage of the loose regulation to implement things such as Black Codes that curtailed the freedoms of African-Americans.

• Vetoes of Congressional Reconstruction Legislation: Andrew Johnson|Johnson repeatedly vetoed legislation passed by the Radical Republicans in Congress that aimed to protect the rights of freedmen and punish the South, including:

  • Freedmans Bureau|Extension of the Freedmen’s Bureau: The Freedmen’s Bureau was designed to aid former slaves in the South.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1866: Granted citizenship to all persons born in the United States (excluding Native Americans) and prohibited discrimination based on race.

• Clash with Congress: Johnson’s vetoes and his opposition to Congressional Reconstruction policies led to a bitter power struggle with the Radical Republicans who controlled Congress.

• Tenure of Office Act (1867): Congress passed this act to restrict the president’s power to remove cabinet members without Senate approval, aiming to protect Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, a Radical Republicans|Radical Republican and Johnson critic.

• Impeachment (1868): Andrew Johnson|Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act by firing Edwin Stanton. The House of Representatives impeached him for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” He was tried by the Senate and acquitted by one vote, avoiding removal from office.

• Purchase of Alaska (1867): Secretary of State William Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $ 7.2 million. Often ridiculed as “Seward’s Folly,” the acquisition later proved to be a valuable resource.

Important Legislation Signed (Limited)

• Little significant legislation was signed due to Johnson’s conflicts with Congress. The most notable was the Alaska purchase treaty.

Groups and Affiliations

• Democrats: Johnson was a lifelong Democrat.
• National Union Party: A short-lived coalition party during the 1864 election, aimed at uniting Republicans and War Democrats.

Impact on the Country

• Delayed Reconstruction: His opposition to Congressional Reconstruction prolonged the process of rebuilding the South and integrating freedmen into society.
• Increased Racial Tensions: His lenient policies towards the South and his vetoes of civil rights legislation emboldened white Southerners and contributed to the rise of Jim Crow Laws.
• Weakened Presidency: The impeachment proceedings weakened the office of the president and established limits on executive power in relation to Congress.
• Solidified Republican Control: Johnson’s actions helped to solidify the Republicans|Republican Party’s control over Congress and the nation for several years.