With Lincoln’s death, Johnson prepared to lead the nation. One of the most unpopular Presidents in American history. Johnson faced impeachment charges-the first American president ever to do so.

As with Lincoln, Johnson came from humble origins. Never attended school but learned to read from the foreman of his apprentice shop. In 1841, he was elected to the state senate; two years later, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

After serving a term as Tennessee governor, Johnson was elected to the U.S. Senate. He supported the Homestead Act, which granted free land to western settlers. During the succession of the south, Johnson was the only southern senator not to resign from Congress. He called all Confederates traitors to the Union. Johnson’s immediate goal as president was to implement the Reconstruction policies of Lincoln.

He was lenient toward the South. He granted pardons to Confederate soldiers or supporters who agreed to pledge loyalty to the United States. By the fall of 1865, Johnson granted pardons to approximately 100 people daily. He rarely denied a pardon to anyone. Johnson was not open to granting southern black power. He was very racist. When they attempted to pass a Civil Rights bill in 1866, he vetoed it.

In 1868, the House voted to impeach Johnson by vote. The charges against him included 11 counts of high crimes and misdemeanors. But the Senate failed to remove him from office by one vote. With his political career ruined, Johnson did not run for Presidency in Despite some foreign policy successes, including the purchase of Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 million, the Johnson presidency is often considered a failure.

Andrew Johnson came from humble beginnings, yet managed to become president of the United States. Is it possible for someone of such beginnings to become president today? Why or why not?