19.2 President and Congress Clash pp. 609-614

Objectives: Describe how Congress and President Johnson disagreed on Reconstruction policies. Explain why Radical Republicans called for President Johnson’s impeachment.

A. President Johnson (p. 609) When Lincoln’s Vice President, Andrew Johnson, assumed the presidency, he pledged that his policies “would be the same as the late President.” Although Johnson, a Tennessean and former slave owner, hated the Southern planter aristocracy, he also hated the Radical Republicans and insisted that “white men alone must manage the South.”

B. Johnson’s Plan (p. 610) Johnson offered amnesty and the return of property—except slaves—to all who took an oath of loyalty to the Union. A temporary governor would be appointed in each former Confederate state and loyal delegates would be allowed to attend a state convention. Upon ratifying the 13th Amendment, the convention would write a new constitution and decide who was qualified to vote or hold office.

C. Radical Opposition (pp. 610-611) Radicals strongly opposed Johnson’s plan, which allowed the return of Confederate leadership in Southern states. They were outraged that Johnson pardoned many former Confederate officials. Johnson did nothing to stop Southern states from passing black codes, restrictive laws that applied only to African Americans.

D. Congress Against the President (pp. 611-612) Led by Senator Charles Sumner and Representative Thaddeus Stevens, the Radical Republicans took steps to protect African Americans. They passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which guaranteed African Americans some basic rights of citizens. They supported the Fourteenth Amendment, which defined citizenship to include African Americans and guaranteed “equal protection of the laws.”

E. Radicals in Power (pp. 612-613) The Reconstruction Act abolished the new state constitutions and divided the former Confederacy into five military districts. The army, or martial law, would govern the districts. To be restored to the Union, each state had to write a new constitution that gave African Americans the right to vote.

F. Johnson’s Impeachment (pp. 613-614) In 1867, Johnson attempted to dismiss his Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton. For this, he was impeached for violating the Tenure of Office Act. He was spared being removed from office by one vote. In 1868, Ulysses S. Grant, the former Union commander, was elected President.

Review: Who became President after Lincoln’s assassination? Define black codes— Identify the Fourteenth Amendment. Who governed the South under the Reconstruction Act? Why was Johnson impeached? Who was elected President in 1868?