Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, was born on December 29, 1808, in a modest log cabin in Raleigh, North Carolina. Orphaned at a young age, Johnson never attended school. He was apprenticed as a tailor, a trade that he would continue throughout his early life. Despite his lack of formal education, he possessed an innate intellect and ambition, driven by a strong personal conviction and a deep-seated belief in the principles of the American Constitution.
Johnson’s rise to political prominence was as unconventional as his early life. He began his political career at the municipal level and gradually rose through the ranks of Tennessee politics. He served in various capacities, including mayor, state legislator, and U.S. Congressman, and he was elected as the Governor of Tennessee. A staunch Unionist, Johnson’s political stance during the secession crisis was pivotal. Despite being a Southern Democrat, he remained fiercely loyal to the Union, which set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
His unwavering Unionist position and political experience made him an attractive Vice Presidential candidate for Abraham Lincoln, who sought to balance his ticket with a Southern Democrat for his second term. The Union victory was imminent, and the choice of Andrew Johnson was seen as a conciliatory gesture towards the South. However, the political landscape dramatically changed when Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, thrusting Vice President Johnson into the presidency.
As President, Johnson faced the enormous task of reconstructing the nation after the Civil War. His approach to Reconstruction was lenient towards the South, aimed at a swift restoration of the Southern states to the Union with minimal guarantees of African American rights. This approach brought him into conflict with the Radical Republicans in Congress, who sought to impose more stringent terms and protect the newly freed slaves through legislation and constitutional amendments.
Johnson’s opposition to the Civil Rights legislation and his veto of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 alienated him from Congress and much of the Northern public. He also opposed the Fourteenth Amendment, which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to former slaves. His policies and resistance to Congressional Reconstruction efforts further deepened the rift between the executive and legislative branches.
One of the most contentious episodes of his presidency was the firing of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, a move that violated the recently passed Tenure of Office Act. This act required Senate approval for the removal of certain officeholders. The dismissal of Stanton led to Johnson’s impeachment by the House of Representatives. The subsequent trial in the Senate was a national spectacle, with Johnson narrowly escaping removal from office by one vote. The primary reason for his acquittal was fear of setting a dangerous precedent for the removal of a president and concerns about the next in line for the presidency.
After his tumultuous presidency, Johnson returned to Tennessee, embittered and politically isolated. However, in a twist of fate, he achieved a form of political redemption by being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1875, becoming the only former president to serve in the Senate. He died just months into his term, on July 31, 1875.
Andrew Johnson’s legacy is complex. He is often rated as one of the least effective presidents, primarily due to his impeachment and the failure of his Reconstruction policies. Critics contend that his lenient approach towards the South and opposition to civil rights for freedmen delayed racial equality and set the stage for a century of segregation and disenfranchisement. Yet, his staunch Unionism and rise from humble beginnings embody aspects of the American spirit. His life and presidency remain a subject of debate, reflecting the turbulent era in which he lived and the enduring challenges of unity and equality in America.
I find the Presidency of Andrew Johnson to be a fascinating look at the condition of the nation post Civil War. I wonder, quite often, if Lincoln had not been assassinated what would have been different? In any case, Johnsons efforts AGAINST civil rights and the 14th Amendment are a look at both the idea of Constitutional government versus the “might makes right” attitude of Congress. What would have been different?
Dave Does History 
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