Facts for Kids
Andrew Johnson was the 17th president of the United States, who served from 1865 to 1869 and faced many challenges during a complicated time in American history.
Overview
Presidency
Political Career
Later Life And Legacy
Major Accomplishments
Impact On Civil Rights
Impeachment Proceedings
Early Life And Education
Reconstruction Era Policies
Controversies And Criticisms
Inside this Article
President Of The United States
Abraham Lincoln
Impeachment
Tennessee
Thought
Raleigh
People
State
Time
Era
Did you know?
🏛️ Andrew Johnson was the 17th president of the United States.
🎉 He was born on December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
📏 Johnson worked as a tailor's apprentice at just 14 years old!
🌆 Before becoming president, he served as the mayor of Greenville, Tennessee.
📈 Johnson became vice president under Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
🎭 His presidency began after Lincoln was assassinated.
🌍 Johnson tried to help Southern states create new governments during the Reconstruction era.
🕊️ He played a role in passing the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.
🚨 Johnson was the first U.S. president to be impeached in 1868.
🌻 He passed away on July 31, 1875, leaving behind a complicated legacy.
Introduction
️ He served from 1865 to 1869, right after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Johnson was born on December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He grew up in a poor family and didn't have much education. But he worked hard, learned to read, and became a tailor. Johnson became involved in politics and eventually became the vice president before taking over as president. His time in office was exciting, but also quite complicated! 🤔
Presidency
The U.S. was recovering from the Civil War, and people had different ideas about rebuilding the country. Johnson was known for his idea of "restoration" instead of strict rules for the South. He wanted to bring them back into the Union quickly! But, many people in Congress disagreed with him, leading to a lot of arguments! ⚔
️ Johnson wanted to help people get along, but outcomes were often messy!
Political Career
He then served in the Tennessee state legislature, where he made important decisions for his community. After that, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1843. Johnson loved to talk about helping ordinary people, which made him popular! 📈
In 1865, he became vice president under Abraham Lincoln, and when Lincoln was assassinated, he became president!
Later Life And Legacy
️ He returned to Tennessee and even served in the U.S. Senate again! Johnson was the first U.S. president to be impeached, which is a big part of his story. He passed away on July 31, 1875. 🌻
Many people remember him as a president who faced tough challenges and made important decisions during a complicated time in American history. His life teaches us about courage and commitment!
Major Accomplishments
️ He was known for purchasing Alaska from Russia in 1867, which many thought was a silly idea. But today, we know that Alaska is an amazing state with beautiful nature! 🌲
Johnson also worked to help pass the 13th Amendment, which freed enslaved people in the U.S. This was a significant step towards making things better for all citizens! ⚖
️
Impact On Civil Rights
He supported the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, but his policies didn’t always protect the rights of freed slaves. Many wanted more rights and protections, which led to struggles during the Reconstruction era. 🛡
️ Groups like the Freedmen's Bureau were created to help African Americans adjust to their new lives. However, Johnson often rejected laws meant to protect them, making it harder for them to achieve equality! It shows how important it is to stand for fairness!
Impeachment Proceedings
It was a big deal! Congress thought he was not following the laws because he kept firing people who disagreed with him. This meant he was breaking a law called the Tenure of Office Act. Johnson's impeachment was like a serious accusation, and it went to a vote. 🎟
️ In the end, he did not get removed from office, but it showed how people were split over his leadership!
Early Life And Education
He didn't have a fancy school, but he loved learning! After his father's death, he had to work as a tailor's apprentice to help his family. He was only 14 years old! 📏
Since schooling wasn't easy for him, he learned to read and write on his own. Johnson really enjoyed sharing his thoughts and opinions about things, which helped him later in life when he became a leader! 👔
Reconstruction Era Policies
He allowed Southern states to create new governments and encouraged them to write new state constitutions. Although his policies seemed helpful, many felt he wasn’t doing enough to protect newly freed African American citizens. 🕊
️ Congress made more strict rules, called the Reconstruction Acts, to try to help people and ensure their rights. So, Johnson's plans sometimes clashed with those in Congress, leading to disagreements!
Controversies And Criticisms
♂️ People criticized him for being too lenient towards the Southern states after the Civil War. Many felt he didn't do enough to help African Americans! ⚖
️ He often disagreed with Congress, leading to tensions and arguments. Johnson also faced criticism for his dismissal of key officials. Some believed he was not a strong leader, especially during a critical time in U.S. history! His decisions made people consider what good leadership should be! 🤔
Andrew Johnson Quiz
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Mission
To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!
2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.