Johnson Flashcards
(12 cards)
Who became President after Lincoln’s assassination and what was his approach to Reconstruction?
Andrew Johnson became President in 1865. He favored a lenient Reconstruction and shared many racial views of Southern whites, showing little concern for ex-slaves.
What was Johnson’s main goal during Reconstruction?
To restore the Southern states to the Union as quickly as possible.
What were the Black Codes (1865–1866)?
Southern laws that restricted the rights of African Americans, including forced labor, lack of education access, and apprenticeship laws.
How did Congress respond to Johnson’s leniency towards the South?
Many Congressmen, including moderates, opposed Johnson, especially after seeing the effects of the Black Codes.
What was the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 and what happened to it?
It gave minimum rights to black Americans. Johnson vetoed it, but Congress overrode his veto for the first time in history.
What was the Fourteenth Amendment (1868)?
It granted citizenship to all born or naturalised in the US and guaranteed equality under the law.
How did Southern states react to the Fourteenth Amendment?
All ex-Confederate states except Tennessee rejected it, preventing the Amendment from becoming law initially.
What was Radical Reconstruction?
A period where Congress imposed stricter terms on the South to ensure civil rights, including military rule and new legislation.
What was the Military Reconstruction Bill (1867)
It divided the South into five military districts (except Tennessee) under federal control until they accepted black suffrage and the 14th Amendment.
What was the Tenure of Office Act (1867
It prevented Johnson from removing key officeholders like Edwin Stanton without Senate approval.
Why was Johnson impeached in 1868?
He violated the Tenure of Office Act by removing Edwin Stanton and tried to appoint a replacement without Senate approval.
