pivot62.com – Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, assumed office following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in April 1865. His presidency, which lasted from 1865 to 1869, is often remembered for its tumultuous nature, marked by his lenient approach to Reconstruction, conflicts with Congress, and impeachment. Johnson’s tenure was a critical period in the post-Civil War era, as the nation struggled to rebuild and reintegrate the Southern states after their defeat in the war. Despite his efforts, his presidency is often regarded as a failure, as his policies and actions led to bitter divisions and significant political strife.
Early Life and Political Career
Andrew Johnson was born on December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, North Carolina, into poverty. His father died when he was young, leaving his mother to raise him. Johnson had little formal education but was determined to improve himself. He worked as a tailor and later opened his own shop. His interest in politics led him to run for local office, and by 1829, he was elected to the Tennessee State Legislature. Johnson’s political career was shaped by his support for the common man, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the Democratic Party.
Johnson served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1843 to 1853 and then as governor of Tennessee from 1853 to 1857. In 1857, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he was one of the few Southern politicians to remain loyal to the Union during the Civil War. His firm stance against secession and support for the Union led to his appointment as military governor of Tennessee during the war. In 1864, in a bid to appeal to both Northern and Southern voters, President Abraham Lincoln selected Johnson as his vice-presidential running mate.
Becoming President: Assassination of Lincoln
Johnson became president on April 15, 1865, after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. His ascension to the presidency came at a time when the country was still deeply divided. The Civil War had just ended, but the Southern states had not yet been fully reintegrated into the Union, and the fate of the newly freed enslaved population was uncertain.
As a former Southern slave owner and staunch Unionist, Johnson was seen as a moderate figure who could appeal to both sides of the conflict. However, his views on Reconstruction, especially his approach toward the Southern states, would soon lead to significant conflict with Congress and his eventual impeachment.
Reconstruction Under Johnson
Johnson’s approach to Reconstruction, the process of reintegrating the Southern states into the Union, was characterized by a quick and lenient approach. He issued a series of proclamations offering amnesty to former Confederates who pledged loyalty to the Union, and he allowed Southern states to form new governments and re-enter the Union with minimal requirements.
Johnson’s policies were based on the idea of restoring the Union as quickly as possible, but they failed to address the needs of formerly enslaved people or to establish lasting protections for their rights. His policies allowed former Confederate leaders to return to power, and many Southern states enacted Black Codes that severely restricted the rights of African Americans.
- The Black Codes and Civil Rights: The Black Codes were laws passed in Southern states to restrict the freedoms of African Americans. These laws included provisions that limited the ability of Black people to own property, enter into contracts, or testify in court. Johnson’s failure to confront these oppressive laws and his opposition to civil rights legislation alienated many Northern Republicans, who were pushing for stronger protections for African Americans.
- The Freedmen’s Bureau: Johnson vetoed key legislation such as the Freedmen’s Bureau Bill, which aimed to provide assistance to formerly enslaved people and poor whites in the South. The Freedmen’s Bureau was an agency created by Congress to help African Americans transition from slavery to freedom by providing food, education, and legal assistance. Johnson’s veto of this bill, which was later overridden by Congress, further fueled tensions between him and the Republican-controlled Congress.
Conflict with Congress and Impeachment
As Johnson’s Reconstruction policies clashed with the Radical Republicans in Congress, tensions escalated. Congress, led by figures such as Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, wanted to implement a more stringent form of Reconstruction that would provide greater protections for African Americans and punish the South for its role in the Civil War. Johnson, however, sought to restore the Southern states to their pre-war status with minimal intervention, and he continued to veto Congress’s legislative efforts.
The conflict reached a boiling point in 1867 when Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act, a law passed by Congress that restricted the president’s ability to remove certain officeholders without Senate approval. Johnson dismissed Edwin M. Stanton, his Secretary of War, in defiance of the law and replaced him with a more sympathetic figure. This led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1868.
The impeachment was primarily based on the charge that Johnson had violated the Tenure of Office Act and had failed to enforce the law. Johnson was impeached by the House, but the Senate acquitted him by just one vote, allowing him to remain in office. Despite this narrow victory, his political power was severely diminished, and he was unable to effectively lead the nation in the final years of his presidency.
Foreign Policy and Other Issues
While Johnson’s presidency is mostly remembered for domestic strife, he did achieve some successes in foreign policy.
- Alaska Purchase: One of the most significant achievements of Johnson’s administration was the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million. The acquisition, known as Seward’s Folly, after Secretary of State William H. Seward, was initially criticized but later proved to be a wise investment due to Alaska’s rich natural resources, including gold, oil, and minerals.
- Other Foreign Relations: Johnson also dealt with ongoing tensions with European powers, particularly Great Britain, over issues stemming from the Civil War, such as Confederate privateers and claims for damages by the British. However, Johnson’s foreign policy is not often viewed as a major success, as his attention was mostly consumed by domestic issues.
End of Presidency and Legacy
After leaving office in 1869, Johnson returned to Tennessee, where he briefly returned to political life. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1875, becoming the only former president to serve in the Senate after his presidency. Johnson died on July 31, 1875, at the age of 66.
Johnson’s legacy is highly contentious. His presidency is often regarded as a failure due to his opposition to Congressional Reconstruction and his inability to address the rights and needs of African Americans in the post-war South. His lenient policies towards the former Confederacy and his opposition to civil rights legislation left a lasting impact on the South, leading to the establishment of discriminatory laws that would persist well into the 20th century.
While he is remembered for his role in the purchase of Alaska, his domestic legacy remains overshadowed by his impeachment and his failure to effectively guide the nation through the complexities of Reconstruction.
Conclusion
Andrew Johnson’s presidency stands as one of the most controversial and divisive in American history. His failure to reconcile his views with those of Congress, coupled with his resistance to the protection of civil rights for African Americans, tarnished his legacy. Though he sought to quickly reunite the nation after the Civil War, his policies ultimately deepened divisions and left the South in turmoil for years to come. While Johnson is sometimes remembered for his foreign policy successes, particularly the purchase of Alaska, his presidency is largely marked by conflict, impeachment, and the unresolved struggles of Reconstruction.