Succession to Lincoln- Unveiling the President Who Stepped into History After the Great Emancipator
Who followed Lincoln as President? This question brings to mind the tumultuous period following the American Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The presidency that followed Lincoln’s was marked by significant challenges and transformations, as the nation grappled with the aftermath of the war and the reconstruction era. The man who stepped into this pivotal role was Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s vice president and the 17th President of the United States.
Andrew Johnson assumed the presidency on April 15, 1865, just days after Lincoln’s assassination. He was a former senator from Tennessee and a War Democrat who had been Lincoln’s running mate in the 1864 election. Despite his close association with Lincoln, Johnson’s presidency was marked by a contentious relationship with Congress and the Radical Republicans, who were determined to ensure the full integration of the Southern states back into the Union.
Johnson’s presidency was fraught with conflict from the outset. He clashed with Congress over Reconstruction policies, particularly the Ten Percent Plan, which allowed Southern states to be readmitted to the Union if 10 percent of their voters took an oath of allegiance to the United States. The Radical Republicans, led by Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, were opposed to this leniency and pushed for more stringent measures to ensure the rights of freed slaves and the integration of the South into the Union.
The tension between Johnson and the Radical Republicans culminated in the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson in 1868. He was accused of violating the Tenure of Office Act, which prohibited the president from removing a cabinet member without the consent of the Senate. While Johnson was acquitted by a single vote, the impeachment trial revealed the deep divisions within the nation and the struggle to define the post-war America.
Following Johnson’s tumultuous presidency, Ulysses S. Grant became the 18th President of the United States in 1869. Grant, a Union general during the Civil War, was a hero to many and was seen as a symbol of national unity and stability. His presidency, however, was marked by corruption and the scandals that would later tarnish his legacy.
Grant’s administration faced numerous challenges, including the Reconstruction era’s lingering effects, the Indian Wars, and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan. Despite these challenges, Grant’s presidency was also characterized by his efforts to reform the civil service and promote economic development. His administration laid the groundwork for the modernization of the United States and the expansion of the country’s infrastructure.
In conclusion, the presidency that followed Abraham Lincoln was marked by significant political and social upheaval. Andrew Johnson’s tenure was marked by conflict and impeachment, while Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency saw both progress and scandal. The years following Lincoln’s assassination were pivotal in shaping the United States’ future and defining the nation’s role in the world.
