Andrew Johnson
(April 15, 1865 to March 3, 1869)

Born: December 29, 1808
Died: July 31, 1875

Political Party: Democratic
Previous Occupation: Tailor, public official

Elected From: Tennessee
Vice President: None
Cabinet Members: view list

Other Government Positions: · Alderman of Greeneville, Tennessee, 1830-33 · Mayor of Greeneville, Tennessee, 1834 · Member of Tennessee State Legislature, 1835-43 · Member of U.S. House of Representatives, 1843-53 · Governor of Tennessee, 1853-57 · United States Senator, 1857-62 · Military Governor of Tennessee, 1862-65 · Vice President, 1865 (under Lincoln) · United States Senator, 1875

Inaugural Address: none
Biography: view

Presidential Highlights:
· Vetoed the Civil Rights Act (allowed blacks to enter into contracts on the same basis as other Americans, and empowered the federal government to enforce federal civil and political rights in the South). Congress overrode his veto.

· Vetoed the Freedmen's Bureau Bill (created a bureau to protect black's rights in the South), believing that it violated the rights of white southerners. Congress overrode his veto.

· Vetoed the Tenure of Office Act (prohibited the president from removing certain federal officials from office). Congress overrode his veto.

· The Impeachment. Johnson fired Edwin Stanton (U.S. Secretary of War). Congress reinstated Stanton, but Johnson refused to relent. On February 24, 1868, the House of Representatives passed a Resolution of Impeachment accusing Johnson of a violation of the Tenure of Office Act. The Senate convened to try President Johnson for impeachment. The Senate fell short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction (many felt the Tenure of Office Act was unconstitutional). The Senate acquitted Johnson of all charges.

· Purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

· Approved the Burlingame Treaty (opened Chinese markets to U.S. goods, and gave U.S. and Chinese citizens reciprocal rights of travel).

Presidential Election:

1865
Death of Abraham Lincoln

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