PERIODIC PRESIDENTS on BOBBLEHEAD GEORGE

Johnson, who was thrust into office after Lincoln’s death, was ill prepared to deal with the 2 major issues facing our country: The reconstruction of the Union & determining the future of the confederate states. Adding to this were the Radical Republicans in congress who favored more severe measures be taken against the south. Johnson sought to continue some of the more lenient policies towards the south that Lincoln started. 

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Johnson’s problems were only amplified after he dismissed from office the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. According to the Republicans in Congress this action violated the Tenure of Office Act, and as a result Andrew Johnson became the first president to be impeached. Fortunately for Johnson the Senate did not receive the 2/3 majority vote needed to remove him from office. 

During his remaining days in office, he extended his grants of amnesty to all of the former rebels.