Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. He assumed the presidency following…

By Staff , in Presidents , at June 30, 2024 Tags: presidents, usa

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Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. He assumed the presidency following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Johnson’s presidency is particularly notable for his approach to Reconstruction and his impeachment.

Early Life and Career
Birth: Andrew Johnson was born on December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He grew up in poverty and was apprenticed to a tailor as a young boy.
Self-Education: Johnson had little formal education but taught himself to read and write with the help of his wife, Eliza McCardle Johnson.
Political Beginnings: Johnson moved to Greeneville, Tennessee, where he established a successful tailoring business. He entered politics as a Democrat and was elected as an alderman and later mayor of Greeneville.

Political Career
State and National Politics: Johnson served in the Tennessee state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a strong advocate for the interests of poor white Southerners.
Governor and Senator: He served as Governor of Tennessee from 1853 to 1857 and then as a U.S. Senator from 1857 until he became Vice President in 1865.

Vice Presidency and Assumption of the Presidency
Vice President: Johnson was chosen as Abraham Lincoln‘s running mate in the 1864 election as part of a National Union ticket, which aimed to attract War Democrats and Unionists.
Presidency: Johnson became president on April 15, 1865, after Lincoln’s assassination. He inherited the task of leading the nation through the Reconstruction era following the Civil War.

Presidency and Reconstruction
Lenient Reconstruction Policies: Johnson favored a lenient approach to Reconstruction. He quickly moved to restore Southern states to the Union with minimal requirements for readmission, such as ratifying the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.
Clashes with Congress: Johnson’s lenient policies and frequent use of vetoes put him at odds with the Radical Republicans in Congress, who sought more stringent measures to protect the rights of freed slaves and to reshape Southern society.
Civil Rights Vetoes: Johnson vetoed key legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Reconstruction Acts, which aimed to provide greater protection and rights for African Americans. Congress overrode his vetoes, highlighting the deep divisions between the executive and legislative branches.

Impeachment
Tenure of Office Act: Johnson’s dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, a Radical Republican ally, violated the Tenure of Office Act, which was designed to restrict the president’s ability to remove certain officeholders without Senate approval.
Impeachment Trial: The House of Representatives impeached Johnson in 1868, making him the first U.S. president to be impeached. The Senate trial resulted in Johnson’s acquittal by one vote, allowing him to remain in office, though his political power was significantly diminished.

Later Life and Legacy
Return to Senate: After his presidency, Johnson attempted several political comebacks. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1875, becoming the only former president to serve in the Senate. He died a few months later on July 31, 1875.
Legacy: Johnson’s presidency is often viewed unfavorably due to his opposition to civil rights legislation and his conflicts with Congress. His lenient Reconstruction policies are criticized for failing to protect the rights of freed slaves and for allowing the rapid restoration of Southern states with minimal reforms.

Personal Life
Family: Johnson married Eliza McCardle in 1827, and they had five children. Eliza played a significant role in Johnson’s self-education and supported him throughout his political career.