Most historians would say that Andrew Johnson’s was a failed presidency. It did end in impeachment, after all, and his plan for Reconstruction—his most important responsibility—was not ultimately successfully. On the other hand, Johnson entered his term with some significant handicaps—he became president not by being elected but because his predecessor was assassinated, and he faced a Congressional majority who very much wanted his approach to Reconstruction to fall short.
Write a post evaluating Andrew Johnson’s role in the outcomes of Reconstruction. Was it his fault that efforts to rebuild the South in a lasting way failed? Explain your answer thoroughly, using examples of actions taken (or not taken) by Andrew Johnson. Then respond to the posts of at least two other students. In each response, compare your perspective to your classmate’s, and respectfully indicate if you agree with his or her assessment.