Record #:

10073

Author(s):

Heatherly, Charles

Abstract:

After Lincoln's assassination, North Carolina-born Vice President Andrew Johnson faced insurmountable challenges as the newly appointed southern Democrat President. Johnson wished to follow Lincoln's precedent in preserving the Union and to make Reconstruction as swift as possible, but radicals in Congress such as Thaddeus Stevens wished to treat the seceded states as a conquered nation. These radicals opposed Johnson at every turn and after multiple failed attempts to impeach the President, finally succeeded. Johnson later served as a Tennessee Senator where he was instrumental in getting legislation passed that changed the succession line making the Speaker of the House follow the Vice President.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 41 Issue 12, May 1974, p9-14, il, por

Subject(s):

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875; Reconstruction (1865-1877)--United States