Ryan+S.+-+AJohn+-+SP10

//December 29, 1808 - July 31, 1875 Ambiguous (Democrat, National Unionist, Independent) Presidential Term: April 15, 1855 - March 4, 1869 Vice President: None VP Terms: N/A//
 * Andrew Johnson**

Andrew Johnson is arguably the worst in the history of the United States. Being chosen as vice president simply to appease the southerners and War Democrats, Johnson was simply not cut out to be president. He often sided with the south and ignored the wants of congress, and for this Johnson deserves an F.

Johnson goal when entering his presidency was the same as his predecessor's, Abraham Lincoln, but Johnson had a different slant on things. Johnson was a strong supporter of the south and attempted to reconstruct the country in a way which would please them. He was trying for a hasty reconstruction, but the legislation he passed only worsened the relationship between the north and south. He pardoned many Confederate Generals, who he previously stated should hanged, and allowed bills like the black codes to be passed. When Johnson left office in 1869, the nation was in basically the same state as it was pre-civil war.

Andrew Johnson had a very harsh relationship with congress. Being a pro-southern, War Democrat in a predominantly Republican government, Johnson's time as president was severely strained by Congress. Johnson gave southerners the ability to vote for their officials in Congress. Many of those voted in were former Confederate generals. This enraged many of the Congressmen, who refused to seat the "traitors." Johnson passed the black codes, which essentially gave the south the ability to have slaves without actually being titled "slaves." Johnson attempted to veto an absurd number of bills (29 to be exact). Although he tried to protect the south, 15 of Johnson's vetoes were overridden. Two of the major overrides were the Fourteenth Amendment, the Freedman's Bureau, and the Tenure of Office Act. To emphasize Congress's distaste for Johnson, it must be noted that Andrew Johnson is one of only two presidents to ever be impeached. Congress actually attempted to impeach Johnson on the separate occasions, with the first one failing. The second impeachment attempt was initiated after Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act. Johnson avoided being removed from office with a single vote.

The single good event which occurred during Johnson's presidency was the purchase of Alaska from Russia. This purchase however, was not even made by Johnson, rather it was executed by, Secretary of State, William H. Steward. While Johnson did passed some horrid legislation, the worst was undeniably the Black Codes. The black codes basically turned the south back into the pre-civil war south. While the blacks were not technically slaves they were bound by certain codes. While under these codes, and searching for jobs, southern farmers would coax the blacks into signing contracts giving land in return for payment. These were bad contracts and essentially deadlocked the blacks into working for the plantation owners.

Johnson left office with a mess left for Grant to clean up. The north was even more bitter with the south. The blacks were still being restricted and forced into labor. If anything, Andrew Johnson left the United States in worse condition than when he entered office. Grant was forced to deal with the reconstruction, which should have occurred during Johnson's term and the people of all views were unhappy.

Andrew Johnson is probably the worst president in history. With his hast to reform the union and passing of several incredibly pro-southern laws, as well as his constant vetoing, Johnson's rating of an F is totally justified. Johnson left the country in horrible condition and it was definetly worse off with him in the White House. It is clear why Andrew Johnson was impeached and he almost certainly should have been removed from office.


 * Work Cited**

"Andrew Johnson |." //The White House//. Web. 01 Apr. 2010. .

"Andrew Johnson." //State Library of North Carolina//. Web. 01 Apr. 2010. .

"Impeachment: Andrew Johnson." //The History Place//. Web. 01 Apr. 2010. .