Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, was a man of stark contrasts. Born into poverty and lacking formal education, he rose through the ranks of Tennessee politics to become a U.S. Senator and eventually the nation’s Vice President. His ascension to the presidency following Abraham Lincoln‘s assassination would thrust him into the spotlight – and into historical controversy that endures to this day.
From Tailor to Politician
Johnson’s early life was a struggle. Apprenticed as a tailor, he never attended school. However, with the help of his wife, Eliza, he gained basic literacy and an interest in the world of politics. This interest blossomed into a talent for fiery speeches, where he championed the rights of the working class, railing against the wealthy Southern elite – a surprising stance given his later actions.
His political career progressed rapidly. From being an alderman and then mayor in his small Tennessee town, he served in the House of Representatives, became governor of Tennessee, and was elected to the U.S. Senate. During this time, despite his humble roots, he became a slaveholder himself.
A Southerner in the Union
Johnson’s career took a fateful turn during the Civil War. While a strong Southern Democrat, he was the only senator from a seceding state who remained loyal to the Union. This surprising stand earned him recognition in the North, resulting in Lincoln choosing him as his running mate for the 1864 election on the joint Republican-Democrat “National Union Party” ticket.
Reconstruction and Impeachment
Johnson’s presidency, born from tragedy, would be plagued with it. Following Lincoln’s assassination, Johnson sought to quickly restore the war-torn Southern states back into the Union. But his “Restoration” plans proved disastrous. He vehemently opposed providing former slaves with rights, citizenship, and protection, vetoing laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1866 that aimed to do so. Instead, he issued pardons to former Confederate leaders, allowing many to regain their political power.
This conflict with the Republican-dominated Congress reached an apex when Johnson clashed over the Tenure of Office Act, which limited his power to remove government officials without Congress’s approval. Defying the Act, he fired Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, leading to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1868. While Johnson narrowly escaped removal from office by a single vote in the Senate, his power was permanently diminished.
Johnson’s Legacy: A Complex Figure
Andrew Johnson’s place in history is undoubtedly complex. His unwavering loyalty to the Union was admirable, but his Reconstruction stance and racist views tarnish his record. Once a voice for the poor and downtrodden, he ultimately obstructed the civil rights of freed slaves. His complex legacy reminds us of the contradictory nature of historical figures and the difficult road towards justice in the wake of national upheaval.