Physical Description:5’10”… Stocky build

Personality: Simple, direct… favored the

underdog.Rather be with friends then

“Washington high society”…Birth: Dec. 29, 1808Raleigh, N. CarolinaParents:

Father: Jacob Johnson…Poor, dies when Andrew is 3 years old

Mother: Mary “Polly” does remarryChildhood: grew-up very poor…hired out as an indentured servant.At the age of 14 runs away… Moves to Tennessee with mother & step-father. At age 17 opens up his own tailor shop.

Marriage: Eliza McCardle (he was 18, she was 16) on May 7, 1827

They had 5 children… Eliza will become a semi-invalid

Education: Did not spend 1 day in school, Taught himself (help from wife)

Military Service: “Civil War”… Military Governor of Tennessee

Career Before Presidency:Mayor of Greenville, Tennessee: 1830 – 1833Tennessee House of Representative: 1835 - 37, 1839 – 41

Democrat and supporter of Martin Van BurenTennessee State Senator: 1841 – 43 wanted to create a new

State called “Frankland” (out of: Tenn., Virg. ,N. C & Georgia)Governor of Tennessee: 1853 – 57 Starts state public schools

Supports Stephen Douglas & Kansas/Nebraska ActUnited States Senator: 1857 – 62 Democrat

He defended slavery and Fugitive Slave ActSupported Breckinridge for President in 1860Only Southern Senator to denounce succession…Keeps his seat when Tennessee leaves the Union.Considered a traitor in South…Hero in the NorthMajor support of Abe Lincoln.

Military Governor of Tennessee: 1862 – 64 Major job: to bring Tennessee back to the UnionBy the end of the War has restored civil government

Vice-President (only 1 month)Replaced Hannibal Hamlin in 1864 electionTakes a drink before oath as V.P. people think he is a

drunkTakes oath for President on April 15, 1865

President Johnson’s administration

Biggest problem is “RECONSTRUCTION”

Succeeding to the presidency after Lincoln's death, Johnson failed to provide the nation with enlightened leadership, or deal effectively with Congress. Racism prevented him from responding to black demands for civil rights, and personal inflexibility rendered him unable to compromise with Congress.

Lincoln’s Plan for Reconstruction: 1. As soon as 10% of a Confederated state took an oath of loyalty civil government would be restored 2. All persons except high ranking Confederate officials would receive pardons 3. Lincoln said “The South never left the Union” sooooo it is the President’s job to deal with the States. 4. Lincoln wanted the Nation to return back to normal as soon as possible… Reason for generous terms…

“With malice towards none, and charity for all…”

A MAJORITY OF THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS DISAGREE!

WHY????? Reasons mixed…

1. Some wanted more done for the ex-slaves2. Some afraid Democrat’s would gain power & challenge

Republicans3. Some just wanted REVENGE… These anti-Lincoln groups became known as the:

RADICAL REPUBLICANSTheir Plan for reconstruction was called the WADE – DAVIS BILL

WADE DAVIS

1. President would pick a governor for each Confederate State.2. When a majority of people (whites) took an oath, the governor would call for a constitutional convention.3. The New Constitution would have to say - NO Confederate military or civil officer could hold office - All SLAVERY had to be ABOLISHED! Lincoln vetoes this bill!

PROBLEM: Lincoln dies before issue is settled

President Johnson has a reconstruction plan of his own… a combination of Lincoln’s & Wade – Davis Bill

1. President appoints a governor2. Governor picks the delegates to a Constitutional

Convention.3. NO military or civil officials who owned more then $20,000 in property could participate in

government.4. Slavery had to be abolished5. All Confederate debts would be void..

By December of 1865… All ex-confederated states (except Texas) had complied with Johnson’s plan….

When the Sothern's came to claim their seats in Congress the Radical Republicans refused to seat them…

REASONS: 1. Many ex-confederate military & civil officials were elected 2. Southern governments enacted “Black Codes” which limited the freedom of blacks in the South…

3. The Radical Republicans thought South trying to re-establish SLAVERY!!!!

RADICIAL REPUBLICANS TAKE OVER…

First they created the: FREEDMAN’S BUREAU This gave Blacks: food, clothes, schools, land…

With NO southern democrat’s in Congress… Radical Republicans had complete control & could overrule the Presidents veto!!!

Congress passed a Civil Rights Law that granted citizenship to former slaves…

President Johnson will try to campaign against Radical Republicans in the Congressional Election of 1866… HE FAILS!!!

In 1867… Radical Republicans take over RECONSTRUCTION…

1. The former Confederate States were divided into 5 military districts

2. Each district controlled by a military governor3. Blacks could vote for new State Constitutions

Opens door for “Carpet Baggers” & Scalawags” 4. Ex-Confederate military & civil officials could not.5. Constitution gave Blacks the right to vote& hold property6. Also had to ratify the 14th Amendment… Citizenship to blacks7. ALL this had to be done in order to rejoin the UNION!!!!

RADICAL REPUBLICANS ARE NOW OUT OF CONTROL…

1ST They try to take over the Army with the:COMMAND OF ARMY ACT

The President could not issue orders without the consent of Congress

2nd They pass the TENURE OF OFFICE ACT Said: Any official appointed by the President and approved by Senate could not be removed without Senate approval… (reason to save Secretary of War Edwin Stanton)Johnson challenges the Tenure of Office Act by firing Stanton!!!

The Radical Republicans take up the challenge and will try to remove

PRESIDENT JOHNSONThe House of Representatives will IMPEACH President Johnson on the charges of 11 counts of “high crimes and misdemeanors”

The trial in the Senate will begin on March 13, 1867 & will last 2 months

It would take the vote of 36 Senators to remove the President

On May 16, the vote was taken…..

7 Republicans refused to vote against President Johnson… So by a vote of 35 to 19…President Johnson is found

NOT GUILTY!!!All other charges where dropped as well

The most valuable achievement of the Johnson administration was the acquisition of ALASKA!!!

In 1867… Secretary of State Seward purchased Alaska from Russia for $17,000,000.

586,412 square miles = 2 cents per acre

It was called “Seward’s Folly” & “Seward’s Ice-box”

RETIREMENT OF PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON

Johnson was denied his parties re-nomination in the election of 1868

Does not attend Grant’s inauguration Returns home to Greenville, Tennessee

Welcomed as a HERO!!!

In 1875…Andrew Johnson is elected to the United States Senate (Only former President to do so)Johnson makes one speech: denouncing the reconstruction of the Radical Republicans… He gets a standing ovation!!!!

On July 31, 1875…The 66 year old former President dies of a stroke

Presidential Ranking:42 out of 43 Presidents