Lived

December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875

Home State

Tennessee

Party

National Union; Democratic

Vice President

None

Andrew Johnson became the seventeenth President after Lincoln's assassination and was the first to be impeached. A Southern Unionist and former tailor, he obstructed Reconstruction, vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Freedmen's Bureau Act, and fought the 14th Amendment. Congress overrode his vetoes and impeached him in 1868 for violating the Tenure of Office Act; he was acquitted in the Senate by one vote. His presidency is widely seen as a failure that squandered the chance to secure Black citizenship after the Civil War. Tennessee tailor, mayor, state legislator, U.S. Representative and Senator, Military Governor of Tennessee during the Civil War, Vice President under Lincoln.

None; largely self-taught with help from his wife Eliza.

Signed the purchase of Alaska from Russia (1867) — dismissed at the time as 'Seward's Folly.' The 13th Amendment was ratified during his term. Signed the Alaska Purchase (1867). Congress overrode his vetoes to enact the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Reconstruction Acts.

Vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Freedmen's Bureau Act; Congress overrode him. Fought the 14th Amendment. Impeached by the House in 1868 over his violation of the Tenure of Office Act; acquitted in the Senate by one vote.