Andrew Johnson and Impeachment Johnson’s Plan for Reconstruction

Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan Plan closely resembled Lincoln’s Issued a new Proclamation of Amnesty pardoning all Confederate citizens who took an oath of loyalty Excluded same people Lincoln did; Confederate officers and officials Southern states must ratify the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery Johnson’s plan was well underway by 1865 Confederate states met Johnson’s conditions and began to organize new governments and elect people to Congress Republicans were shocked to see former Confederates now being elected as Congressmen in the South The Moderate Republicans now joined with the Radicals to reject the new Southern members of Congress

Black Codes Another development that angered members of the Moderate and Radical Republicans was the passing of black codes For the most part, these laws were intended to keep freed slaves in a social condition similar to slavery In 1866, Congress attempted to override the black codes by passing the Civil Rights Act and the14th Amendment The CRA was vetoed by President Johnson, but was later passed as the 14th Amendment

Military Reconstruction As Congress becomes more upset with Johnson’s plans, they pass the Military Reconstruction Act Nullified Johnson’s Plans Divided the former Confederacy into five military districts Union Generals were placed in charge of each Each state had to create another Constitution that would be acceptable to Congress Must give the right to vote to all male citizens, regardless of race Also must ratify the 14th Amendment

Johnson’s Impeachment In order to control Johnson, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act Required Johnson to get approval for any removal of a government official When Johnson disobeyed this act, he was impeached, or charged with not following the law