presidential reconstruction andrew johnson's presidency
TRANSCRIPT
Presidential Reconstruction
Andrew Johnson's presidency
Johnson's background
Johnson was a very open racist and a southern slave owner who also hated southern planters and was a self made man
Opposers of Johnson considered him a tactless man
Johnson was a senator for Tennessee before the Civil War who heavily opposed secession
Hated by the south for opposing secession, Johnson left the south after Tennessee's secession out of fear for his life
Johnson takes office
Following Lincoln's assassination, Democratic Vice President Andrew Johnson becomes the 17th president of the United States
Congress hasn't reformed since the Civil War, almost a year without them
Johnson's policy
Johnson took a very laissez-faire approach during his presidency
He believed that states should be sovereign with limited federal government
Sympathetic for the South
Johnson's plan
Pardons would be granted to southerners if they pledge their loyalty to the Union and if they didn't own land in value excess of $20,000
A state must abolish slavery and repeal secession before rejoining the Union
New states could hold Constitutional Conventions without Lincoln's 10% plan
The South had to accept their Civil War debt before returning
Putting his plan in action
Johnson was very sympathetic to the South, makes the North initially happy, but when Congress forms again they start to dislike him
Reasoned that the South never technically seceded and should be easily readmitted to the Union
Granted pardons to almost anybody with the exception of Southern officials who received "special presidential pardons"
Nothing really special about it, just pardons for Southerners of prominence or criminals during the Civil War
Abolishment and repealing secession
The 13th amendment was already set in place before Johnson's presidency
Johnson was extremely against the 14th amendment and vetoed it initially. Finally Republicans in Congress overruled Johnson and it was then ratified
Johnson is now forcing all Southern states to ratify the 13th and 14th amendment and repeal secession in order to rejoin the Union
Southern conventions
Southern states would hold a vote to determine who their government officials would be to reform their state and Lincoln's 10% plan didn't matter.
Southern war debts
The southern states must accept their war debts in order to return to the Union
The South must also repay war debts to the Union
Northern reaction
Northerners were very pleased with Johnson and how he handled the South after the Civil War at first
Northerners then realize how easy he was being on the South and saw him as too soft on the South and Reconstruction couldn't be done with Johnson being so laid back
Southern reaction
Expected to get the worst treatment from Johnson possible after their treatment of the former Tennessee Senator
Surprisingly Johnson did the opposite and treated the South with sympathy
South very grateful for it and supported him for the most part but still acting out
How Congress saw Johnson
Johnson and Congress disagreed on everything
Congress was primarily ruled by moderate and radical Republicans who obviously opposed Johnson's Democratic views
Determined to take down Johnson, Congress overruled all his vetoes which disallowed Johnson to have a say in anything
End of Presidential Reconstruction
Republicans only gain more power in Congress rendering Johnson ineffective
Reconstruction Acts are passed by Congress marking the end of this era leaving Johnson humiliated by Republicans
Sources
encyclopedia.com
whitehouse.gov
authentichistory.com
presidentprofiles.com
sparknotes.com
education-portal.com
infoplease.com