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Andrew Johnson Born: December 29th 1808 Death: July 31st 1875 Party: Democrat, Unionist Term: 1865-1869 Vice President: None (He was the Vice President)

Taking a look over Johnson’s presidency I would give him a C because he did a pretty bad job and was impeached, but he was put in a very tough position. He was forced to bring the southern states back and keeping slavery outlawed in the southern states. Johnson also had to deal with a hostile congress that tried to kick him out of office.

President Johnson had many goals when he took over after Lincoln’s assassination. His main goal was to bring the southern states back into the union. He was very successful in bringing them back but he gave up a lot to gain their acceptance. Johnson allowed the confederate leaders to remain in power and brought about worry of slavery not being abolished in the southern states after they joined the union.

Johnson had a dreadful relationship with congress. A prime example of this was that the congress had an impeachment trial. Johnson had fired his Secretary of War and the congress passed a law saying he couldn’t do that. They tried to impeach Johnson for this. Even though Johnson was found not guilty it shows the distrust between President and congress.

The most positive action Johnson had was purchasing Alaska from Russia. At the time it seemed like a waste of money but in the future many natural resources were found their and Johnson increased the size of America greatly. The most negative action Johnson had was Reconstruction. During reconstruction Johnson allowed both sides to walk over him and didn’t solve anything. He led to the effect that African Americans were still not equal in rights and made a mess of the country through reconstruction.

Johnson purchasing Alaska had a vast impact on the future of America. It prevented Britain from gaining control in the America’s. America grew vastly in size and got large reservoirs of oil used by future generations. This was one of Johnson’s biggest contributions to the future of America.

Johnson wasn’t a very great president. He was put in a tough position and this is why I gave him a C and average marks. He struggled with reconstruction and had quite a fit with congress this is how I feel about Johnson. DeGregorio, William, and Sandra Lee Stuart. __The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents__. Fort Lee, NJ:Barricade Books, 2009.