Andrew Johnson Attitude Towards Reconstruction

President Abraham Lincoln appointed Andrew Johnson as Vice President in 1865. Lincoln was impressed by Johnson's administration of Tennessee, and he wanted to have Johnson, the “Southern War Democrat”, on the election of 1864 ticket so would sent the right message about the folly of secession and the continuing capacity for union within the country. When Andrew Johnson became president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, some of the Republicans in Congress opposed to what they saw as the too-lenient policies of Lincoln toward reconstruction. These Republicans saw Johnson's ascent as a sign of hope. As Congressed saw Johnson’s actions in the presidency, they realized that he was not their guy and had to be impeached.

Tension had already

Also, the initial reconstruction plan for high-ranking government and military officers quickly dissolved. Johnson would also veto legislation that extended civil rights and financial support for the former slaves, but Congress was able to override only a few of his vetoes. This constant conflict would set the stage for hostility between Congress and the president.

Johnson’s command of the military as President would mitigate Congress' control of the military Reconstruction policy. Also, Johnson had assumed Lincoln’s Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. Stanton was a devout Radical Republican, who throughout his time in office would obey Congress’ Reconstruction policies. In order to make sure that Stanton was not replaced, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act in 1867 over Johnson's veto. The Tenure of Office Act restricted the president from relieving any member of his Cabinet without express concurrence of the Senate. It is obvious that the act was written specifically with Stanton in mind. However, there was a loophole in the Act; it permitted the president to suspend such officials when Congress was out of

About a week later, the House adopted eleven articles of impeachment against the president. The articles charged Johnson with: (1) he dismissed Edwin Stanton from office after the Senate had voted not to concur with his dismissal and had ordered him reinstated, (2) he appointed Thomas Secretary of War ad interim even though the dismissal of Stanton had been invalid, (3) he appointed Thomas without the required advice and consent of the Senate, (4) he conspired with Thomas and "other persons to the House of Representatives unknown," to illegally prevent Stanton from continuing in office, (5) he conspired to illegally restrict the Tenure of Office Act, (6) he conspired to "seize, take, and possess the property of the United States in the Department of War," (7) conspired to "seize, take, and possess the property of the United States in the Department of War" with intentions to violate the Tenure of Office Act, (8) he issued the authority of the office of Secretary of War to with unlawful intent to "control the disbursements of the moneys appropriated for the military service and for the Department of War," (9) he issued order to Major General William H. Emory with unlawful intent to violate the Tenure of Office Act, and (10) made three speeches with aims to show disrespect for the Congress