Objective: To examine the conflict between President Johnson and Congress.

Radical Reconstruction: The President and Congress ClashBackground Information: Congress had enough votes to override all Presidential vetoes!

President Johnson v. CongressConflict #1

Congress passed the Civil Rights Act in 1866, giving U.S. citizenship to African-Americans.

President Johnson vetoed the bill.

Representatives in Congress overrode the veto. (with a 2/3 majority vote)

President Johnson v. CongressConflict #2

President Johnson opposed the 14th Amendment and convinced all Southern states, except Tennessee, to vote against it.

.

Congress attempted to ratify the 14th Amendment, which would…

…grant U.S. citizenship to all people born in the U.S.,including former slaves.

…make it illegal to discriminate against people,

making black codes unconstitutional.

President Johnson v. CongressConflict #3

Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act in 1867. This law stated that the President could not remove members of his Cabinet without Senate approval.

DARN!

Secretary of War Edwin StantonPres. Johnson

Secretary Stanton, you’re

FIRED!

So, Congress thinks I need THEIR approval to fire a member of my own Cabinet? HAH! Let’s see

them stop me!

President Johnson v. CongressConflict #4

President Johnson vetoed theReconstruction Act.

Congress passed the Reconstruction Act in 1867. This law…

…threw out all Southern statesthat refused to ratify the 14th

Amendment.

…required all SouthernStates to:• write a new stateConstitution.• ratify the 14th Amendment.• allow all blacks theright to vote.

…divided the South Into five military districts, each ruled by a U.S.

general.

Representatives in Congress overrode the veto with

a 2/3 majority vote.

Military Reconstruction, 1867

Q: Why was Tennessee the only former Confederate state not occupied by federal troops as a result of the Reconstruction Act of 1867?A: Tennessee was the only former Confederate state to ratify the 14th Amendment.

VA

NC

SCGA

FL

ALMS

AR

LATX

TN

The official votes of the House of Representatives on the matter of the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.

Andrew Johnson Biographical Vignette (4:47)