The Civil War was not over when the last battle of it was fought. The United States was still in deep debate over whether the former southern rebels, or Confederates, should be punished and how. Unfortunately, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the middle of the reconstruction era. Andrew Johnson, who was Vice President while Lincoln was in office, took Lincoln’s place as president after Lincoln was murdered. Many northerners were unhappy with Johnson because they did not agree with his beliefs and decisions. The fact that Johnson was disliked from the beginning of his presidency provides a motive and reasoning for Congress to have wanted to plot against him. Also, laws were clearly passed to purposely restrict Johnson from his presidential powers. President Johnson was not actually taken out of office despite allegations against him for breaking a law. These facts show that President Johnson was the victim of Congress during the time shortly after the Civil …show more content…
At the conclusion of his trial, the Senate voted Johnson not guilty. Therefore, his innocence was proven by law and he should not have been impeached. One accusation stated against him read: “...did unlawfully and in violation of the Constitution and laws of the United States issue and order in writing for the removal of Edwin M. Stanton from the office of Secretary for the Department of War, said Edwin M. Stanton…”. Congress accused Johnson of breaking a law that was meant for him to break. Congress set a clear trap for Johnson just to fulfill their desire to remove the opposing president from office. Some members of Congress reconsidered their actions and Johnson’s during the long period of his trial. This indicates that the impeachment was an act of impulsive hate against the president. In conclusion with the Senate voting Johnson not guilty, Andrew Johnson returned to office where he rightfully belonged the entire
What was the reason behind the Civil War? According to Carter G. Woodson and Charles H. Wesley, when the Civil War started, Lincoln, in order to stay on the good side of supporters who had voted him into office, publicly stated that he did not want to interfere with the slavery in the South (“The Negro in the Civil War” 361). Contrary to claims that he did not approve of slavery, Lincoln clearly compromised the rights of slaves to be free in order to appease supporters of slavery by evading the subject of slavery in the South. D’Souza also asserts that Lincoln stated in correspondence to Andrew Stephens, the former vice president of the Confederacy, that “while we think it is wrong, and ought to be restricted, it was not his intention to get
After the conclusion of America’s Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln pitched the idea of “Reconstruction,” which would bring the southern states back into the Union. President Lincoln, according to many radical Republicans, was too gentle on the south. The government was divided on how to solve the issue of readmitting the southern states back into the Union. In addition to that, the government was not certain on what rights to enumerate to the newly emancipated slaves. These issues became more difficult to solve after President Lincoln was murdered. Lincoln’s successor, Vice President Andrew Johnson, was a Tennessee Democrat that lacked respect of the Republican Congress. The legislative and executive branches of the American government
Andrew Jackson was a bad president partially because he was a slave trader, and his slave trading commission was also documented in the journal of east tennessee and it was known as a troublesome commerce. 1,000 acres of plantation land all for enslaved african american women, men and children. Hard labor was performed to produce the hermitage cash crops which was cotton. Andrew Jackson made a bad decision when he chose to go through with the Indian Act Removal , it caused Native Americans to move from their legal homes which was said to be ethnic cleansing something he was planning and laying groundwork for since the War of 1812. He had moved Choctaw, Seminole, Creek, Chickasaw, and Cherokee nations from the southern lands of Oklahoma.
The House of Representatives drafted eleven articles of impeachment. The first eight articles described specific actions by the President that violated the Tenure of Office Act. The ninth article charged the President with trying to persuade an army officer to violate the 1867 Army Appropriation Act. The tenth article charged that in numerous public speeches the President deliberately tried to set aside the rightful authority and powers of Congress by subjecting it to disgrace, ridicule, hatred, contempt, and reproach." 8 The eleventh article charged the President with declaring in a public speech that the Thirty-Ninth Congress, as a Congress of only some of the states, had no authority to exercise legislative power. "Rumors of an armed conflict between the President and Congress spread. Grant ordered the army garrison in Washington to remain
The Civil War was a war that was fought over the civil and humane treatment of every person, regardless of their outward appearances. It left a scathing scar on the nation After the atrocities that were suffered in the Civil war, the nation need a way to heal it’s wounds and unite again. Lincoln had a battle of his own to fight within the congress for the Reconstruction of the nation, While Lincoln believed that the south had suffered enough and had a long road to recovery, the radical republicans wanted to punish the south. They believed that the act of secession by the southern states was treason and the penalties should be strict.
The people of South Carolina felt that the Tariff of Abominations placed upon them favored northern manufacturers, and wanted to invalidate, or nullify it. This movement was led by Jackson’s Vice President, John C. Calhoun, who was known to be the “Voice of the South.” However, Jackson claimed that nullification is “unauthorized by the constitution of the United States, and violate the true meaning and intent thereof and are null, void, and no law, nor binding upon this State” (Primary). In other words, Jackson decided to stand against nullification of laws because they were a violation of the constitution and a sectionalism action by the South Carolinians. Jackson’s effort to fight for the rights of the union imprinted an idea that future presidents would follow. Sixteenth president Abraham Lincoln fought for the nationalist mentality his forefathers had worked to build. He attempted to abolish slavery in the South, because he believed that “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Jackson 2001). Because Jackson fearlessly stood up for the rights of the union, he set a precedent of nationalist notions and actions that has carried throughout
After the tragedy of Lincoln's death, Vice President Andrew Johnson stepped up into the presidential position and started his own plans for reconstruction; his too, would turn out to be a failure. He supported hardcore Democratic principles and restoring Southern power. He brought in the remaining states back into the constitution. He divided the power of planters and restricted there voting He created the idea of "blanket pardons" which allowed Southern states that had abolished slavery and repealed their articles of secession to re-assume their powers of government and elect representatives to the Congress. This all backfired because while the south was happy and the Blacks weren't voting under Johnson, the Radical Republicans were angered and more conflict was started. The whole idea of everyone being happy wasn't working at all with anyone. Johnson was the second to go, being the first impeached president ever.
The article begins with a brief biography of President Johnson, who although, never attended school, had a skill for public speaking, which led him to politics and in Lincoln taking notice of him. In December 1865, the Radical Republicans (a foe of Johnson), gained control after Congress denied the southerners representatives seats. By April of 1866, Congress enacted the Civil Rights Act in response to the Black Codes, leading to power struggles and name calling between Congress and President Johnson. Congress also over-rode some of Johnson’s vetoes, further limiting his power. As Johnson got further out of control, a special committee voted to impeach him on the grounds of “high crimes and misdemeanors” (History.com). After reading this article, I came to the conclusion that perhaps Johnson was a ‘southern sympathizer’ who indeed deserved impeachment.
The 19th century in the United States was time of prosperity as well as drastic societal change. With the emancipation of slaves and the boom of the industrial revolution, America was in a state of constant adjustment. President Lincoln worked tirelessly, to reunite the disjointed union. As the president worked, so too did John Wilkes Booth, on his plan to assassinate the leader of the Union. After Booth committed his heinous act, and Lincoln was confirmed dead, it was time for Vice-President Andrew Johnson, to step up and continue the plan Lincoln had set forth to rebuild the country. Or so had citizens hoped for. Andrew Johnson was a black sheep in the eyes of the union, as he was not of the same political affiliation as Lincoln. Abraham
The Civil War, fought between the North and the South, stemmed from issues regarding the slavery of African Americans. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proposed the 13th amendment which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. The amendment was not ratified until December 1865, after Lincoln’s death on April 14, 1865. Following Lincoln’s death, Vice President Andrew Johnson became the new President of the United States. Andrew Johnson attempted to follow Lincoln’s plans for the time period following the Civil War that focused on easing the transition of newly freed African Americans into a free society, called the Reconstruction Era. The Reconstruction Era set ground for many accomplishments for African Americans including
In 1861 through 1877 The civil war brought a disturbance between the North and the South that was not easily repaired. After the unions victory the government had to create a plan for reconstruction. After Abraham lincoln's assassination democract Andrew Johnson stepped foward and had to make sure Lincoln's plans for reamitting the southinto the union went through. The struggle for power with congress would later lead to his impeachment.
Declaring martial law within five military districts the south was split into; each governed by a union general. Congress then had southern states redraft their constitutions and ratify the 14th Amendment to provide suffrage for the freed male slaves. Congress noticed those people needed additional protection for their voting rights. Congress in response passed the "Second Reconstruction Act"; which places Union troops in charge of voter registrations. This helped prevent some southern inference. During this time also passed the "Tenure of Office Act" to add to other restrictions made by them for the president. This Act was designed to make the president require congressional consent to remove and appoint cabinets members. President Johnson didn't feel the need to adhere to this; when he felt undermined by his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton so he removed him fro office. His actions was basically the final straw by late 1887 congress had enough of Johnson. They started a impeachment case against him for multiple charges though In the end the impeachment failed due to the Radical Republicans realizing doing this would set a dangerous precedent. But this led Johnson to be a non factor for the remainder of his presidential term. Congress proceeded to easily work Ulysses S. Grant into office, allowing them to continue their version of reconstruction. Which while they
President Johnson opposed many new laws including the 14th amendment, making the moderate political group shift to being more Republican because of some of the Democratic decisions he made. He is a strong example of how personal beliefs and opinions almost always trump laws. One of the first steps within reconstruction that involved emancipation of the former slaves was the Civil Rights Act of 1866. This act was enacted April 9, 1866, and was the first United States nationwide law to ensure that the law equally protects all citizens. It was intended to protect the civil rights of African Americans during the Civil War. These rules were first established by Congress in 1865. Unfortunately, this legislation was rejected and vetoed by President Andrew Johnson upsetting loads of people. Eventually, this legislation became law. President Andrew Johnson’s terrible decision of vetoing the act turned the moderate political group against
President Andrew Jackson is on trial to decide if he is guilty of the impeachment articles filed against him. He has been accused of exceeding the power of the federal government and, therefore, violating the rights of the State of South Carolina through his actions in the Nullification Crisis. However, it can be proven that everything Jackson did was constitutional and for the benefit of the Union.
They also called for any officials to swear an oath of allegiance to the union.2 After Lincoln's assassination, and Johnson's inaugeration these plans changed. Johnson pardoned all the southern leaders that were in trouble for seceding from the union. This effectively put them back in power in the South. Ultimately everything that congress and Lincoln had tried to do in the south. Taking back the power from those who seceded. As well as any help that was given to the poor whites or any blacks in the south was undone by Johnson.