Johnsons Plan Andrew Johnson became President after Lincolns

Johnson’s Plan • Andrew Johnson became President after Lincoln’s assassination… • Democrat from Tennessee • Basically, tried to implement Lincoln’s plans • Johnson tried to keep high ranking Confederates from getting voting privileges • Southerners generally relieved • Johnson’s plan did not address the needs of former slaves

Congress Responds • Congress did not feel that Johnson’s plans settled issue of Reconstruction, so enacted legislation to further aid recently freed slaves • Freedman’s Bureau: assisted former slaves and impoverished people in the south – food, clothing, medical treatment, training • Civil Rights Acts of 1866: gave African Americans citizenship and prevented discriminatory laws

Black Codes • Various States passed laws that limited rights of African Americans. For example, prohibited: – – Carrying weapons serving on juries testifying against whites traveling without permits • Blacks also faced violence and other forms of discrimination… n African American, John Picksley, explained, "it is almost a daily occurrence for black men to be hunted down with dogs and shot like wild beasts. " One individual remarked that, "since the negro has ceased to be property [they have no] pecuniary value [so] maiming and killing" went unnoticed.

Congressional Reconstruction • Angered by Johnson’s weak plan, Congress took over the reconstruction process • They passed a series of laws and amendments giving African Americans equal protection under the law…

Reconstruction Legislation • • 13 th Amendment (1865) Freedman’s Bureau Acts Civil Rights Act of 1866 14 th Amendment (1868) Reconstruction Act of 1867 15 th Amendment (1870) Enforcement Act of 1870

Reconstruction Amendments • 13 th Amendment (1865) – Abolished slavery – Not ratified in Mississippi until 1995! • 14 th Amendment (1868) – All persons born and naturalized are US citizens – punishment for states that do not let all males vote – prohibits many Confederate leaders from holding public office • 15 th Amendment (1870) – Voting rights – No one can be kept from voting because of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude” Know These!

Reconstruction Legislation • Reconstruction Act of 1867: – – Abolished governments of Confederate states Divided southern states into five military districts Set up requirements for readmission to the Union Johnson vetoes the bill, but congress overrides the veto • Enforcement Act of 1870: – Protected voting rights – Gave federal government power to enforce 15 th Amendment

Johnson Impeached • Since Johnson did not agree with the Reconstruction Act, it went unenforced by him… • Opponents of Johnson looked for a way to impeach him (to formally charge him with misconduct in office) • Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act, which stated that the president could not remove cabinet officers “during the term of the president by whom they may have been appointed” • Passed to protect Radical ally Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton • Johnson thought the act unconstitutional – Johnson fires Stanton – Stanton appointed under Lincoln, not Johnson

Impeachment Trial • Trial took place from March through May 1868 • At end, vote was 35 -19 • A 2/3 vote was needed to convict… • 1 vote shy