Who was Andrew Johnson ?
Johnson was born in North Carolina to a life of poverty. He apprenticed to a tailor until running away to open his own tailor shop in Tennesee. His political career began when he started to participate in debates at a local academy. Prior to the Civil War, he served as a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate. When Tennesee seceeded, Johnson remained. President Johnson took office after Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. He served out the remainder of Lincoln’s term, and encouraged the reconstruction of the former Confederate States. However, once Congress was called into session, he was not able to stand against the Radical Republicans. Johnson’s efforts were quickly undermined and defeated by Congress. In 1867, Congress, annoyed by Johnson’s continued opposition, impeached him. He was acquitted by one vote.
