The Andrew Johnson administration (1865–1869) was a pivotal period in U.S. history, characterized by the challenges of Reconstruction following the Civil War, conflicts over civil rights, and political struggles between Johnson and Congress. Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, assumed office after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and is remembered for his contentious presidency and impeachment.

Key Events and Issues of the Johnson Administration

1. Assumption of the Presidency

• Johnson became president on April 15, 1865, following Lincoln’s assassination.
• As a Southern Democrat and former slave owner, Johnson was initially seen as a unifying figure, being a loyal Unionist from Tennessee. However, his policies soon alienated many in the Republican Party.

2. Reconstruction Policies

Johnson faced the monumental task of bringing the Southern states back into the Union and addressing the status of freed African Americans.

• Lenient Reconstruction Approach:
  • Johnson favored a quick reintegration of the Southern states with minimal federal intervention.
  • He issued Presidential Reconstruction plans that allowed former Confederate states to rejoin the Union after taking loyalty oaths and accepting the abolition of slavery.
  • He granted widespread pardons to ex-Confederates, including many high-ranking officials, enabling them to regain political power.
• Resistance to Radical Republicans:
  • Johnson clashed with Radical Republicans in Congress who sought stricter terms for Southern reintegration and more protections for newly freed African Americans.
  • He vetoed key Reconstruction legislation, including:
    • The Freedmen’s Bureau Bill (intended to assist freed slaves).
    • The Civil Rights Act of 1866, which granted citizenship and equal rights to African Americans. (Congress overrode his veto.)

3. Opposition to Civil Rights

• Johnson’s opposition to extending civil rights to African Americans deepened his rift with the Radical Republicans.
• He opposed the 14th Amendment (ratified in 1868), which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including former slaves.
• Southern states, under his lenient policies, enacted Black Codes—laws restricting the freedoms of African Americans and effectively preserving a system of racial inequality.

4. Congressional Reconstruction

• In 1867, Congress passed the Reconstruction Acts, implementing military Reconstruction that divided the South into five military districts governed by Union generals.
• Johnson vetoed the Reconstruction Acts, but Congress overrode his vetoes.

5. Impeachment Crisis

• Johnson’s relationship with Congress deteriorated to the point of impeachment:
  • The conflict came to a head over the Tenure of Office Act (1867), which required Senate approval for the president to remove certain officials.
  • Johnson defied the Act by firing Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, a Radical Republican ally.
  • In response, the House of Representatives impeached Johnson in 1868, accusing him of “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
  • Johnson was tried in the Senate and narrowly avoided removal from office by one vote.

6. Foreign Policy

• Johnson’s foreign policy achievements were limited but included:
  • Alaska Purchase (1867): The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, in a deal negotiated by Secretary of State William H. Seward. Known at the time as “Seward’s Folly,” this acquisition later proved strategically valuable.
  • Avoiding War with France: Johnson opposed French occupation in Mexico (violating the Monroe Doctrine) and supported the restoration of Mexican President Benito Juárez.

7. Economic and Social Issues

• The post-war South struggled with economic devastation, and the Freedmen’s Bureau sought to assist freed slaves and poor whites, often clashing with Johnson’s limited support.
• Reconstruction policies left unresolved tensions between the North and South and failed to secure lasting protections for African Americans.

Challenges and Legacy

Conflicts with Congress

• Johnson’s presidency was marred by constant battles with Congress, dominated by Radical Republicans.
• His vetoes of major civil rights and Reconstruction measures were repeatedly overridden, weakening his presidency.

Failure to Protect Freed Slaves

• Johnson’s leniency toward the South allowed the rise of white supremacist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, and hindered African Americans’ progress during Reconstruction.
• His opposition to civil rights and suffrage for freedmen contributed to systemic racial discrimination in the South for decades.

Impeachment and Decline

• Johnson’s impeachment and acquittal left him politically isolated. He failed to win the 1868 Democratic presidential nomination, and his administration ended amid widespread criticism.

Historical Assessment

Andrew Johnson is often ranked among the least effective U.S. presidents due to his inability to navigate the political and social challenges of Reconstruction. His presidency is a cautionary tale about leadership during times of national upheaval. However, his staunch defense of states’ rights and the Constitution during Reconstruction has also earned him some defenders.

After leaving office, Johnson returned to Tennessee, where he was later elected to the Senate in 1875, making him the only former president to serve in the Senate.