Andrew Johnson was elected President of the United States in 1865. He ruled for one term and was able to write his name into history forever.
He was quite a controversial figure. Even now, there is no consensus in American society regarding the assessment of the activities of this person. Many of his decisions forever changed the domestic and foreign policy of the United States. And legal precedents outlasted Johnson by decades.
Andrew Johnson: Biography
The future president was born on the fifteenth of April 1865 in North Carolina. His parents were ordinary farmers. Little Andrew worked alongside them, helping to take care of the crops. After the death of the elder Johnson, the support of the family falls on the shoulders of the mother, who works as a laundress. Due to the difficult financial situation, Andrew gets a job with a tailor. While working as an apprentice, he also learns basic writing and reading skills. Thus, the workshop replaced the school for him. After coming of age, Andrew Johnson leaves his home and moves to Grenville. There he opens his own business - a workshop. Marries the daughter of a local shoemaker.
The beginning of a politician's career
In my spare timeconstantly engaged in self-education. Studied basic sciences. His entrepreneurial acumen and skills acquired during the training allow things to go up. Profits from the workshop allow Johnson to invest. In Tennessee, he goes to a local college. Begins to take an interest in politics. Often communicates with influential people in the state.
In the forty-third year, Andrew Johnson is elected to Congress. Being in the government, he begins to actively spread his influence. Business profits are growing, which allows you to influence economic processes throughout the state. Ten years later, Johnson is elected governor.
A. Lincoln personally arrives to meet with the new head of state. At this time, unrest is already beginning in the south of the country. The conflict of interest threatens to escalate into an armed confrontation, so the president is holding conversations with all the influential people of the South.
Beginning of the Civil War
Andrew Johnson represented Tennessee, a slave state. The basis of its economy was the agricultural sector. The southern lands were very fertile, the climate was suitable for growing cotton, tobacco and various cereals. However, there was a serious lack of industrialization. Almost the entire industry of the country was concentrated in the North. The most powerful people in Tennessee were the slave owners. The shortage of labor (almost all emigrants from Europe settled in the North) was compensated by slaves brought from Africa. By 1960, over three million slaves lived in the US South.
The Industrial North had more seats in the Senate and passed its own laws that were not beneficial to the slave owners. Therefore, trying to preserve the socio-economic life of its states, the South withdraws from the Union. This leads to the start of the Civil War. A. Lincoln immediately announces mobilization and begins a blockade. Johnson remains loyal to the president. Unlike other governors of the South, he does not support Confederation and secession.
And at the same time retains his position. In April 1961, Andrew participates in the drafting of the Crittenden-Johnson resolution. It argues that the Union troops are pursuing peace-loving goals and are fighting for the preservation of the state, and not for the abolition of slavery.
Defector or patriot?
After the outbreak of hostilities, Johnson flees to Northern controlled territory. He receives the post of vice president from Lincoln. Many contemporaries believe that this appointment is associated with Lincoln's populist aspirations. As if he believed that the appointment of a southerner to such a high post would reduce the wave of hatred in the rebellious states. It is noteworthy that the new Vice President of the United States of America was drunk to death at his inauguration. Johnson delivered a "fiery" speech in which he boasted of his origin (allegedly "folk") and criticized the political system in the Russian Empire.
After his appointment, Andrew also received a military rank. However, he did not take direct part in hostilities. On the fifteenth of April there is a murderLincoln.
The killers also planned to remove Johnson, but could not get to him. As a result, the 17th President of the United States receives office not as a result of elections, but because of the death of his predecessor.
Johnson Rule
As president, Johnson continued the consistent policies he had charted while still governor. However, immediately after taking office, he began to have problems. The Democratic Party refused to support him. Moreover, he began to revise the policy regarding the defeated states. Andrew made big concessions to the secessionists. Many even began to suspect him of Confederate sympathies. After falling out with the party, Johnson got into trouble with Congress. One of his first decrees, the 17th President of the United States vetoed a bill that established the obligations of the southern states.
Conflict with executive power
After that, Congress voted for a bill establishing equality for all US citizens, regardless of race. Johnson also blocked him. The crisis intensified after a direct confrontation with the cabinet. One of the president's ardent opponents was Secretary of Defense Stanton. He refused to follow many orders from the White House.
The administration could not find a common language on this issue with Congress, so Stanton is removed from office by Andrew Johnson. The President of the United States personally issues the appropriate order. However, the Senate does not support such a decision. Almost unanimouslythe minister is returned to his post. Such an open speech against the White House worsened Johnson's position.
He decides not to give up and enter into an open confrontation. In place of the allegedly dismissed Minister of Defense, Andrew appoints his protégé, General Thomas. Such a decision excites Congress. Stanton refuses to leave his post, a unique situation arises in the country. The two branches of government issue decrees that contradict each other. In response to the actions of the President, the Senate turns to the House of Representatives. The latter initiate the impeachment proceedings. However, Johnson manages to negotiate with some senators, and he remains in office.
End of reign
In 1967, Andrew makes a fateful deal with the Russian Empire over Alaska.
For relatively little money, the United States is buying a huge territory, which in the future will pay off all the costs of its acquisition. However, at that time this event went unnoticed. The President of the United States of America finally lost the trust of the people and did not even run for a new term.
