Worst Presidents: Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
Reader Comments
Andrew Johnson
Also, regarding Johnson turning "a blind eye to those southerners who tried to undo what the Civil War had accomplished": this implies that the goal of the war was to free the slaves, and then to give them equal rights.
But for Lincoln and many in the North the war was overwhelmingly about preserving the Union which was achieved completely and without qualification and Johnson had worked to make this a reality. Most likely his "soft" stance after the war (on civil rights) also further contributed to preserving the Union as it was in a delicate state and had cost so much to regain. Freeing the slaves, except for the abolitionists, was a secondary goal, which thank God was also achieved as well.
Andrew Johnson
I agree with Thomas (TN), 1865-1869 Was probably one of the very most difficult terms to be president. The divide between extreme "southerners" and extreme "northerners" was vast. Remember they are referred to as Radical republicans -- not radical according to our views today but at the time they were the extreeeme group -- on the civil rights side.
Because of this I think Johnson was an average President instead of one of the very worst. Remember, he was the Only Southern Senator to stick with the Union during the war which was one of the main reasons Lincoln chose him to be his running mate. Actually, considering this last fact I would rate him significantly above average since that must have taken an incredible amount of courage or possibly just rebelliousness (rebellious against the rebels) in order to do that.
He was more against the "aristocracy" of the southern slave holders than he was for freeing the slaves. He saw himself as fighting for the "average Joe" of the South, and North.
In fact, regarding sticking with the Union, when all the other Southern Senators had abandoned it, in explaining his decision he said he didn't care about the slaves, but that he did care most of all about maintaining the Union. His political work during and after the war (Senator, Vice President and then his "horrible" Presidency) only demonstrates the consistency of his actions with his prior statements -- which if you consider most Presidents is a pretty rare quality -- giving him several more points.
Andrew Johnson
I don't think Andrew Johnson was such a bad president. The problem was, he just didn't know how to be a leader he was more of a side-kick then a leader.
Andrew Johnson
I don't think Andrew Johnson was such a bad president. The problem was, he just didn't know how to be a leader he was more of a side-kick then a leader.
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson because of his unflinching racism,encourage the terror that spread through the south for over 100 years. When the Radical Republicans tried to bring some sort of racial and economic equality to the south,many of them, mostly white men were murdered. Jim Crow was a direct result of Andrew Johnson's hostility and indifference.
Catholic Johnson betrayed Lincoln
Catholic Johnson became president because a Catholic coup killed Lincoln. Revisionists hide the fact that all the plotters and Booth were Catholics.
bad story
your story is horrible .it does not include eonough informatoin
Andrew Johnson
Johnson continued the policies of Lincoln!
He ran a pardon mill for southerners in order to be consistent with Lincoln's philosophy of, "With charity for all and malice toward none." The idea was to be done with the war.
There was a revenge minded north at that time that sought to punish the south. This was represented by the Republican party at the time of the 1860s and 1870s.
In recent events the world put punitive, revenge minded, policies on Germany after World War One. It created an environment that was perfect for the creation of Hitler and World War Two. In contrast, the Marshall plan has brought Europe a lasting peace.
Johnson had the duty of moving the country forward after the civil war and to prevent a second uprising against the US Government. Lincoln won the war but Johnson had the difficult duty to win the peace. Recent events have demonstrated that it is easy to win the war, as people tend to unite behind a cause, but it is very difficult to win the peace.
Each administration faces different challenges and some terms are easier than others. Some Presidents are adored by the press, but in Johnson's case he was thouroughly hated by the northern press. The presidential term that began March 1865 and ended March 1869 was probably one of the most difficult terms ever faced by any President.
