Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875) was the 17th President of the US. He became the next president due, to the murder of Abraham Lincoln. Since Andrew was president, he took charge of Presidential Reconstruction, – the 1st phase of Reconstruction – which continued until the Radical Republicans acquired domination of Congress in the 1866 elections. Andrew Johnson’s appeasing policies towards the South, his goal to let former Confederates back into the union, and his vetoes of civil rights bills; caused him to be involved in bitter disputes with some Republicans. The Radicals Republicans in the House of Representatives indicted Andrew in 1868. While accusing Andrew with the violation of the Tenure of Office Act, a regulation appointed by Congress in March 1867; over Johnson's veto, however Johnson was cleared by a single vote in the Senate. He served as the president of the US from 1865 to 1869.

An example of how Andrew Johnson acts of providing amnesty, to the confederates relates to events that occur in the world. Andrew Johnson provided amnesty to 13,000 confederates, and allowed them to join the Union. Bill Clinton provided amnesty to 300 people, who had committed crimes. It seemed that both presidents provided amnesty to people, who had committed crimes before their term in office is over. When Andrew Johnson violated the Tenure of Office act, he was impeached. Many years later another president called Bill Clinton was impeached basically for, violating the laws of the US government. When a president does not obey the US government laws, he/she will be impeached.
There are 2 biases inherited in the research of Andrew Johnson. The first bias includes Andrew Johnson’s letter to Thomas C Fletcher which involved racial bias. It said "This is a country for white men, and by God, as long as I am president; it shall be a government for white men." The second bias involved the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. The court claimed that Johnson violated the act. But in reality the act they made was not completely constitutional, but even still they impeached him anyway.
There are 2 difficult questions raised by the historical research of Andrew Johnson. Since Andrew Johnson, violated the Tenure of Office Act he was impeached. But in 1926, a case called Myers v United States (similar to the Tenure of Office Act) was ruled by the Supreme Court unconstitutional. So the question is this when they accused and impeached Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act, was that constitutionally protected action? After Abraham Lincoln was killed by John Wilkes Booth, the Republicans were outraged. However, Andrew Johnson took a more liberal line noting.”1 say, as to the leaders, punishment. I also say leniency, reconciliation and amnesty to thousands whom they have misled and deceived.” My question is why did Andrew Johnson provide amnesty to the confederates and their leaders?
In the essay, I give examples about the events, and actions, of Andrew Johnson; can be related to the events that occur in the world. There were questions I wanted to know about dealt with Andrew’s impeach, and his statement, of bringing punishment to confederate leaders instead of the followers. In Andrew Johnson case there were some biases; one was from his letter to Thomas and his impeachment. I hope you enjoyed this thoughtfully written essay.