Let's cut straight to it - Andrew Johnson might be one of the most complicated figures to ever sit in the Oval Office. I remember first learning about him in high school and thinking "How did this guy become president?" He was the 17th president of the United States, thrust into power after Lincoln's assassination during our nation's most fragile moment. If you're researching the 17th president of the United States, you're probably curious about more than just dates and facts. You want to understand why historians argue about him, how he survived impeachment, and what his presidency means for us today. That's exactly what we'll unpack here.
From Tailor's Bench to the White House
Honestly, Johnson's rise is the kind of story you'd dismiss if it were fiction. Born in a log cabin in North Carolina (sound familiar?), he never attended a day of school. His mom apprenticed him to a tailor at 10 years old. Imagine stitching clothes all day while secretly teaching yourself to read using newspapers clients left behind - that was young Andrew.
What really shaped him? Watching wealthy planters look down on working-class folks like him. You see this rage against elites throughout his career. He'd literally wave his calloused hands at crowds shouting "These are my credentials!"
| Quick Facts: Andrew Johnson | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth & Death | December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875 |
| Home State | Tennessee (moved there at age 18) |
| Pre-Presidency Jobs | Tailor, mayor, congressman, governor, U.S. Senator, military governor of Tennessee |
| Signature Move | Only Southern senator who refused to secede with his state |
Why Lincoln Picked Him
Here's something most people miss: Lincoln didn't really want Johnson as VP. It was pure political strategy in the 1864 election. With the Civil War raging, Lincoln needed to show national unity. A Southern Democrat turned Unionist? Perfect symbol. Personally, I think Lincoln would've dropped him in 1868. But we'll never know.
The Sudden Presidency: April 15, 1865
The night Lincoln was shot, Johnson was actually in bed recovering from typhoid fever. His political enemies spread rumors he was drunk – total nonsense, but it haunted him. When he took the oath at Kirkwood House, witnesses said his hand trembled on the Bible. Can you blame him? He was inheriting:
- A country with 600,000 war dead
- 4 million newly freed slaves
- Destroyed Southern cities
- A furious Congress wanting harsh punishments
Now here's where things get messy. Johnson announced his Reconstruction plan just weeks later without consulting Congress. Big mistake. His vision? Let Southern states back in quickly if they ratified the 13th Amendment. But he didn't push for Black voting rights or land redistribution. Historian Eric Foner put it best: "Johnson wasn't just moderate – he actively blocked Black advancement."
Presidential Decisions That Still Spark Debates
Look, I've spent hours in archives reading Johnson's orders. Some make you scratch your head:
| Controversial Action | Immediate Impact | Long-Term Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Amnesty Proclamation (May 1865) | Allowed Confederate leaders back into power | Enabled Black Codes restricting freedmen's rights |
| Veto of Freedmen's Bureau Bill | Blocked food/housing for war refugees | Forced Congress to override his veto (first time ever!) |
| Opposing 14th Amendment | Delayed citizenship for African Americans | Radical Republicans gained strength |
The Impeachment Circus
Okay folks, this is where Johnson's story turns wild. Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act in 1867 – basically forbidding the president from firing cabinet members without Senate approval. Johnson called it unconstitutional (many scholars agree). So what did he do? Tested it by firing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Bold move. Dumb move.
The House voted to impeach him within days! But the real drama happened in the Senate trial. Johnson came within one vote of removal. Why did he survive? Seven Republicans broke ranks. Why? Some feared his successor would be worse. Others got political favors. One senator was literally bribed with a government job for his son-in-law.
Fun detail most miss: During the trial, Johnson's lawyers argued he was just following Lincoln's policies. Ironic, since Lincoln would've likely fired Johnson himself.
What Saved Him
- Lawyers' strategy: Focused on technicalities rather than guilt
- Ben Wade: The unlikeable senator next in line for presidency
- Whiskey & deals: Johnson promised to stop obstructing Reconstruction
Beyond Reconstruction: The Overlooked Stuff
Most discussions about the 17th president of the United States focus only on Reconstruction fights. But Johnson handled other issues:
Foreign Policy Wins & Blunders
His Secretary of State William Seward (a Lincoln holdover) pulled off two huge deals:
- Alaska Purchase (1867): Bought for $7.2 million ("Seward's Folly" that became a bargain)
- French Exit from Mexico: Pressured Napoleon III to abandon puppet emperor Maximilian
But Johnson messed up relations with Britain by allowing Irish Fenians to plot attacks on Canada from U.S. soil. Awkward.
Daily White House Life
Ever wonder what Johnson was like behind closed doors? Diaries reveal:
- Woke at 6 AM reading newspapers aloud to aides
- Worked while getting haircuts (barber visited twice weekly)
- Hosted chaotic public receptions where pickpockets thrived
- His wife Eliza stayed mostly upstairs due to tuberculosis
Why Historians Still Fight About Him
Ranking Johnson is tricky business. Some put him dead last. Others say he's misunderstood. Let's break it down:
| Arguments Against Johnson | Arguments For Johnson |
|---|---|
| Allowed Southern states to enact Black Codes | Upheld constitutional principles against Congress |
| Vetoed civil rights bills 29 times | Pardoned thousands of Confederate soldiers personally |
| Gave racist speeches attacking "Africanization" | Remained loyal to the Union when other Southerners rebelled |
My personal take? Johnson had moments of courage but failed the moral test of his era. When freed slaves begged for protection, he sided with former slaveholders. That stain never fades.
Places to Touch History
Want to walk in Johnson's footsteps? Hit these spots:
- Andrew Johnson National Historic Site (Greeneville, TN): His tailor shop, home, and grave. Admission $7. Open 9–5 daily.
- Ford's Theatre (Washington, DC): Where Lincoln was shot; Johnson was sworn in nearby. Tickets $3–$8.
- U.S. Capitol Rotunda: Site of his 1865 inauguration. Free tours require reservations.
Straight Answers: Your Top Questions
Why was Andrew Johnson impeached?
Officially for violating the Tenure of Office Act. Really? Because Congress hated his Reconstruction policies.
What political party was the 17th president?
Ran with Lincoln as a National Unionist (1864). Governed mostly as a Democrat.
How did becoming president change Johnson?
Honestly? It amplified his worst traits. Power made him more stubborn and isolated.
Who became president after Andrew Johnson?
Ulysses S. Grant in 1869 after Johnson lost nomination.
What's the biggest myth about the 17th president of the United States?
That he was illiterate. Nope – self-educated but read/wrote constantly.
Lasting Shadows: Johnson's Impact Today
You feel Johnson's legacy in modern politics more than you'd think. His clashes with Congress created precedents about impeachment power. His racist rhetoric foreshadowed Jim Crow tactics. Even his humble beginnings get cited in every "log cabin to White House" speech. Not bad for a guy whose own party didn't want him.
Visiting his Tennessee home last fall, I stood in his tiny tailor shop wondering: Did stitching coats teach him patience? Because as the 17th president of the United States, he showed precious little of it. Maybe that's the real tragedy – a man who fought his way up from nothing, only to become the president Americans most wanted to forget.
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