#17 Andrew Johnson 1865-1869

The Guy Who Was Impeached Born: December 29, 1808 in Raleigh N.C. Parents: Jacob and Mary (McDonough) Wife: Eliza McCardle Children: Martha, Charles, Mary, Robert, and Andrew

Background Andrew Johnson was born into a modest family in Raleigh N.C. His father died when he was a small boy, and the family was left in poverty. Andrew was apprenticed to a tailor when he was about 10 years old. He hated this situation and he ran away with his brother to East Tennessee. In Tennessee, Johnson also took work as a tailor. Andrew Johnson was illiterate until he was a young man, teaching himself to read and write.

Marriage Johnson was married to Eliza McCardle in 1827 when he was 18 and she was 16. Eliza helped Andrew with his reading and writing skills, and she taught him basic mathematics. The Johnson’s were married for 48 years. Eliza was an ill for most of her husband’s presidency,and had to remain bed-ridden.

The Johnson Home

Early Career and Politics Andrew Johnson owned his own tailor shop and worked hard to improve his station in life. Johnson’s first political office was that of Alderman in Greenville Tennessee in 1829. He was Mayor of Greenville from 1830-1833. Served two terms in the Tennessee Legislature in 1835, but lost re-election in 1837. In 1839 he was re-elected to the same position. In 1841 he was elected to the Tennessee Senate. Governor of Tennessee 1853-1857

National Politics Johnson was elected to the U.S. Senate from 1857-1862, the only Southern senator to remain loyal to the Union. From 1862 to 1865 Johnson was appointed by Lincoln to be the military governor of Tennessee. Nominated for Vice President by the National Union Party in 1864. In 1864 Johnson became Lincoln’s Vice President. Johnson became president on April 15, 1865, after the assassination of president Lincoln.

Presidency Johnson’s presidency occurred in the period following the civil war, known as Reconstruction. Johnson had made early speeches indicating that he wished to be hard on the ex-Confederates, but in most circumstances he was not, including when he called for the easy restoration of Southern States. Johnson ended up pardoning many former Confederate leaders. In 1865 he allowed restored states to hold elections, when they elected many ex-Confederate leaders (who the senate refused to seat)

Presidency Continued The governments of the South instituted Black Codes, prompting congress to block their readmission to the Union and to develop a Civil Rights Bill and re- new the Freedman’s Bureau. Johnson vetoed both of these measures, although the Republicans in congress were able to over-ride his veto of the Civil Rights Bill. Congress chose to over-ride Johnson’s veto of the Tenure of Office Act, which prohibited Johnson from removing officers without the consent of the Senate.

Impeachment To test the constitutionality of the Tenure of office act, Johnson removed Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, and replaced him. The House of Representatives voted to impeach him on grounds that he intentionally violated the Tenure of Office Act. The Senate was acquitted in the Senate by one vote, allowing him to remain president.

Other Notes on Presidency Johnson approved the purchase of Alaska from Russia, which at the time was referred to as “Seward’s Folly” (Seward was the Secretary of State) Johnson issued general amnesty to all ex-Confederates on Christmas Day 1868.

Johnson’s Views Johnson had a very strong bias against the wealthy planter class in the South Johnson was a slaveholder, and owned as many as 8 slaves in his life. Johnson was always in favor of white supremacy, and he worked to stop the ratification of the 14th Amendment.

Johnson’s Legacy Johnson is considered to be among the worst presidents in history. He was the first president to be impeached, and came within one vote of being removed from office (it should be pointed out that the Tenure of Office Act did violate the Constitution) Johnson is known for having made Reconstruction a more difficult process, because he refused to work with moderate Republicans, and because he didn’t do enough to protect freed black people. Johnson was the last president to be Independent, or not Republican or Democratic.