Welcome to Part Seventeen! It’s time for the first impeached president, the man who frustrated civil rights. Let’s dive into the administration of Andrew Johnson:
An extraordinary inauguration- 15th April 1865
Following the death of Abraham Lincoln in the early hours of the morning, Andrew Johnson became president. It rained heavily as a shocked Johnson was sworn in at Kirkwood House, the boarding house in which he resided, gathered with a number of top officials in the small parlour. All Cabinet members bar the injured William Seward were present. Johnson was sworn in by Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase before he gave a short speech. He was the first president to follow an assassinated predecessor and third to follow a dead one.
Addressed the nation- 17th April 1865
Following his extraordinary inauguration and the nation’s grief over Abraham Lincoln, Johnson addressed the nation. It began with a tribute to Lincoln- ‘GENTLEMEN: I must be permitted to say that I have been almost overwhelmed by the announcement of the sad event which has so recently occurred. I feel incompetent to perform duties so important and responsible as those which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me.’ Throughout it, Johnson promised to do his very best.
Rejects the Confederate Army’s surrender terms- 18th April 1865
With the agreement of the Cabinet, Johnson rejected the terms of surrender from the Confederate Army. Considered to be incredibly lenient to the south, it permitted among other things, the recognition of all southern state governments as long as they pledged allegiance, a general amnesty and reestablishment of all federal courts. More would need to be agreed. Ulysses S. Grant was sent to Raleigh to sort out the negotiations.
John Wilkes Booth is killed- 26th April 1865
John Wilkes Booth had been on the run since the Lincoln assassination, but was finally tracked down to a farm in Virginia. While hiding in a burning barn, Booth was shot by Sergeant Boston Corbett and died four hours later. His body was not released to his family until 1869. Booth’s accomplices, both alleged and proven, were given a range of sentences from six years to the death penalty. Booth was the first of four presidential assassins, two more of whom were executed and another shot.
Jefferson Davis is arrested- 10th May 1865
Jefferson Davis, former Confederate President, was arrested on this day in Georgia. Johnson had put out an arrest warrant for a number of top Confederates a week earlier. Davis would be held at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Federal forces take over Texas- 19th June 1865
Whilst the Civil War had, for all intents and purposes, ended, there was still rebellion in the air. Slaves still remained in parts of Texas. Major General Gordon Granger arrived on the island of Galveston on this date, with federal forces now enforcing emancipation. Ever since, the day has been celebrated annually with Juneteenth, and became a federal holiday in 2021.
Thirteenth Amendment comes into effect- 18th December 1865
After years of fighting, slavery and indentured servitude became illegal except in extraordinary circumstances following the Thirteenth Amendment coming into effect. It said: ‘Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.’ It was a huge step in a country which had torn itself apart over slavery.
Mississippi creates Black Codes/Ku Klux Klan is founded- 24th December 1865
Mississippi was the first state to create the ‘Black Codes,’ doing so on this day. Certain rights were protected for freed slaves- marriage and property ownership in the city for example. Other rights, however, were denied. Interracial marriage came with a life sentence, property outside of the city was banned and they were restricted in employment. Other states such as South Carolina passed similar laws. Also on this day, the Ku Klux Klan was founded in Tennessee. For a century or so, the Klan committed an untold number of acts of terror against African-Americans and other groups they opposed. Though their numbers have significantly weakened since the Civil Rights era, they still exist.
Civil Rights Act of 1866 comes into effect over his veto- 9th April 1866
Congress overrode Johnson’s veto of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which came into effect on this day. In his veto message, Johnson proclaimed it to be unfair that African-Americans were allowed citizenship over foreigners who contributed more, and that it was an example of government overreach. He said: ‘It can not, however, be justly claimed that, with a view to the enforcement of this article of the Constitution, there is at present any necessity for the exercise of all the powers which this bill confers.’
New Orleans Massacre- 30th July 1866
The infamous New Orleans Massacre happened on this day. A convention on civil rights was being held but during a break, two groups- one white and one black, clashed outside. Black marchers were brutally attacked, beaten and murdered in a scene that horrified onlookers. The number of dead varies in reports, going up to two-hundred, but it was at least thirty-eight. The massacre galvanised Republican voters, giving the GOP a sweep in the midterms later that year.
First Reconstruction Act comes into effect over his veto- 2nd March 1867
Johnson vetoed the First Reconstruction Act, which came into effect on this day. In his veto message, Johnson proclaimed: ‘This grave fact, with the important questions before us, should induce us to pause in a course of legislation which, looking solely to the attainment of political ends, fails to consider the rights it transgresses, the law which it violates, or the institutions which it imperils.’ The act would divide the South, excluding Tennessee, into five military districts.
Second Reconstruction Act comes into effect over his veto- 23rd March 1867
Johnson vetoed the Second Reconstruction Act, which came into effect on this day. In his veto message, Johnson proclaimed: In all these States there are existing constitutions, framed in the accustomed way by the people. Congress, however, declares that these constitutions are not “loyal and republican,” and requires the people to form them anew. What, then, in the opinion of Congress, is necessary to make the constitution of a State “loyal and republican”? The Second Reconstruction Act would see Union officials oversee registration and election procedures, oaths of loyalty that would exclude former Confederates, and allow representation for freed blacks.
Jefferson Davis is released on bail- 13th May 1867
Davis was released on bail on this date. He would live in Canada with his wife and children for some time before returning to America once it was clear that he would not be prosecuted.
Proclaimed the Purchase of Alaska- 20th June 1867
The purchase of Alaska was proclaimed on this day. Initially known as ‘Seward’s Folly,’ doubters were proved wrong when oil was found there.
Third Reconstruction Act comes into effect over his veto- 19th July 1867
Johnson vetoed the Third Reconstruction Act, which came into effect on this day. In his veto message, Johnson proclaimed: ‘It is impossible to conceive any state of society more intolerable than this; and yet it is to this condition that 12,000,000 American citizens are reduced by the Congress of the United States.’ The Third Reconstruction Act would clarify the first two, as well as demand the state ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Issued executive order to suspend Edwin Stanton- 13th August 1867
Johnson issued an executive order to suspend Secretary of War Edwin Stanton on this day. Relations between Johnson and Stanton, a Radical Republican badly injured during the Lincoln assassination conspiracy, had reached an all-time low. Johnson thus suspended Stanton and made Ulysses S. Grant the interim Secretary of War.
Issued executive order to fire Edwin Stanton- 21st February 1868
Suspension was not enough for Johnson, who issued an executive order to fire Stanton on this day. Because this was not done when Congress was not in session, he was violating the Tenure of Office Act. Stanton was to be replaced by Lorenzo Thomas.
House impeached Johnson- 24th February 1868
Johnson’s executive order suspending Stanton angered the Republican legislature, so much so that they reinstated him in January. Later on, angered by Johnson’s continuous attempts to fire Stanton, the House brought forward impeachment hearings. The House impeached Johnson on party lines on this day, making him the first president to be impeached by them.
Senate Impeachment trial begins- 5th March 1868
The Senate impeachment trial began on this day. For nearly three months, the Senate debated the issue. Johnson did some backroom deals to get Senators on side, whilst the prospective presidency of Radical Republican Benjamin Wade was too much to bear for even the most progressive legislature (with no VP, he would be replaced President pro tempore of the Senate, Wade). Johnson and his wife obsessively followed the impeachment, but the president was initially morose, taking to feeding the mice in his bedroom.
First Senate Impeachment fails- 16th May 1868
The First Senate impeachment failed on this day, when the chamber was one short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict Johnson on three of the articles.
Senate fails to impeach Johnson- 26th May 1868
The Senate failed to impeach Johnson on charges two and three, once again falling one short of the two-third majority needed. It was decided that impeaching Johnson would be impossible, and he was acquitted, much to his delight.
Proclamation 170/fails to be renominated 4th July 1868
On this day, Johnson issued Proclamation 170. This would pardon all Confederates except for those who had been indicted for treason and/or other felonies. He also failed to be renominated by the Democratic party, who went for Horatio Seymour, the former Governor of New York. Seymour had not wanted to be president, but relented after seeing the number of ballots the party was going through. Johnson was now a lame duck president.
Fourteenth Amendment comes into effect- 9th July 1868
The Fourteenth Amendment came into effect on this day. Whilst it covered a large legislative and judicial area, two parts stand out. Section One proclaimed that anyone born in the USA or naturalised was a citizen, which ensured all African-Americans officially had citizenship. Its Equal Protection clause is one of the most noted in judicial theory and practice, making up a number of Supreme Court cases. Section Three bars those who have rebelled or acted in insurrection against the United States from achieving high office. It has been used once for Congress, and there were attempts to use it against Donald Trump following January 6th.
Proclamation 179- 25th December 1868
Johnson issued Proclamation 179 on this day, pardoning those who committed ‘treason’ during the Civil War. This ended any chances of Jefferson Davis being tried.
Last day in office- 4th March 1869
Andrew Johnson handed the keys of the White House over to Ulysses S. Grant on this day. He became the fourth president to not attend a successor’s inauguration, likely offended by Grant refusing to ride in the same carriage as him. He spent some time in Washington before returning home to Greeneville, Tennessee. Despite his unpopularity in the North, he was greeted by cheering crowds on his way home. Johnson spent some time as a private citizen before reentering public life in 1875. He was elected by a single vote on the 54th ballot, enjoying popularity at home and among Democrats. Johnson was sworn in on the 5th March 1875. The special session was only short, allowing him to soon return home. Whilst visiting his younger daughter at her home, Johnson suffered a stroke. He became even more ill and suffered another. Andrew Johnson died on the 31st July 1875, aged sixty-six. Newspapers were positive, and even President Grant was conciliatory. He is buried in Greeneville, Tennessee, in a cemetery named for him. His beloved wife Eliza died six months later and is buried with him. Despite his brief vindication, historians and the public rank him among the worst presidents in the United States, beating only James Buchanan.
That’s it for Andrew Johnson. Tune in next week for Ulysses S. Grant, in which we’ll see him deal with reunions, the Klan, and Custer’s Last Stand.
