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Andrew Johnson December 29, 1808 in Raleigh, NC – July 31, 1875 in Carter County, TN   Democrat Term: April 15, 1865 – March 3, 1869 No Vice-president
 * Theme:** Andrew Johnson was brought to the presidency after the assassination of Lincoln, providing him with Lincoln’s administration. Johnson advanced the suffrage of blacks and the legacies of North America. The 13th amendment, passed in 1865, stated that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” This advanced the movement in North America against slavery. The 14th amendment stated that no state ‘shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property.” The amendment threatened that any state denied the right to vote to any of its adult males, except in rebellion, the states representatives in Congress would be reduced proportionately. This enforced the legacy of black suffrage in North America.


 * Thesis:** Andrew Johnson earned a D+ for his performance in the presidency. Although his motives were justified in man cases, many of his actions resulted in a negative impact for America.


 * Goals:** Johnson did not have an inaugural address as he was the vice president for Lincoln and took over after his assassination, so he had not professed to the country his goals as a president. He did, however, make evident that he wished to carry out Lincoln's term legacies for reconstruction of the South and rights for blacks. Johnson strived for rights for blacks with the 13th and 14th amendments. His attempts for reconstruction of the South met much resistance by southern men, causing them to form the KKK and pass ‘Black Codes.’ He wished to appoint a local provisional governor to call a state constitutional convention that would draft a new constitution punishing secession, slavery and confederate war debts. Once these occurred the southern states would be free to govern them-selves and freely elect representatives to Congress. He also passed acts to divide the South into 5 military districts, commanded by a general empowered to organize a civil government.


 * Congressional Relations:** Andrew Johnson exercised over 29 vetoes to bills that came across his desk, and Congress overrode 15 of his vetoes. From this alone it is evident that he and Congress did not see eye to eye. The Tenure of Office Act was the act that created the most tension between Johnson and Congress. The act forbade the president from removing certain public officials from the Senate. Johnson vetoed this act and Congress overruled it. After the act passed, Johnson dismissed Secretary of War Stanton, defying the Tenure of Office Act. Johnson was then taken to trial, and was accused by Congress for 11 articles of impeachment. Johnson was impeached with a 35-19 vote; he and Congress were clearly not agreeable.


 * Most Impactful Outcomes:** The Reconstruction Acts provided both the best and worst outcomes of Johnson’s administration. The Reconstructions Acts required that the South pass the 14th amendment, guaranteeing a vote for educated and literate blacks. The Acts also required that the South form new constitutions guaranteeing black suffrage. Although Johnson had liberated blacks, he had also stuck a fire under the Southerners. Federal troops were called in to keep the peace. The Ku Klux Klan, or KKK, formed as a resistance to reconstruction of the South and promotion of white supremacy in Tennessee in 1866. They brought to light their beliefs through terrorism, certainly a negative outcome of the Reconstruction Acts that had helped so many blacks.


 * Future Presidential Administrations:** Johnson’s impeachment was the most impactful aspect of his presidency on future administrations. His impeachment proved that the Congress could and would impeach a president who did not comply with the Constitution. It made impeachment a very real threat that kept presidents true to The United States.


 * Conclusion:** The country was better off at the beginning of Johnson’s term, rather than the end. Although his motives were just, he could not gain the order and authority of the country as Lincoln had. Johnson earned a D+ for his commitment to the movement of black suffrage and the reconstruction of the South, but also his resistance to the law and consequences of his actions.


 * Bibliography:**

DeGregorio, William A., and Sandra Lee Stuart. //The complete book of U.S. presidents//. 7th ed. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books, 2009. Print.