Andrew Johnson
| Andrew Johnson | |
|---|---|
| File:Andrew Johnson Presidential Portrait.jpg | |
| Order | 17th President of the United States |
| In office | April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869 |
| Vice President | None |
| Preceded by | Abraham Lincoln |
| Succeeded by | Ulysses S. Grant |
| Born | December 29, 1808 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States |
| Political Party | National Union (aligned with Democratic) |
| Spouse | Eliza McCardle Johnson (m. 1827–1875) |
| Children | 5 |
| Profession | Tailor, politician |
| Alma mater | None (self-educated) |
| Signature | 
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Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875) was the 17th president of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869 following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. A Southern Democrat who remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War, Johnson oversaw the early years of Reconstruction — a period marked by controversy, impeachment, and national tension.
Early Life and Political Rise
Born into poverty in North Carolina, Johnson was self-taught and became a tailor. He entered politics in Tennessee and served as a congressman, governor, and U.S. senator. During the Civil War, he was the only Southern senator to remain loyal to the Union, which led to his selection as Lincoln's running mate in 1864.
Presidency (1865–1869)
Johnson became president after Lincoln's assassination. His Reconstruction policies included:
- Rapid readmission of Southern states without protections for freed slaves
- Vetoing civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Freedmen’s Bureau Bill (both overridden by Congress)
- Opposition to the 14th Amendment
These actions caused a major rift with Radical Republicans in Congress.
Impeachment
In 1868, Johnson became the first U.S. president to be impeached, accused of violating the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to remove Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. He was acquitted by just one vote in the Senate and completed his term, but his influence was permanently damaged.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving office, Johnson returned to Tennessee and was later elected to the U.S. Senate in 1875 — becoming the only former president to serve in the Senate after his presidency. He died later that year.
Johnson’s presidency is widely regarded as a failure, particularly for undermining the progress of Reconstruction and failing to protect newly freed African Americans. However, some credit him with upholding constitutional limits during the impeachment crisis.