Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, served during one of the most turbulent and transformative periods in American history.
Rising from humble beginnings in North Carolina, Johnson’s life story embodied the classic American narrative of self-made success. His early struggles shaped his fierce commitment to representing the working class and advocating for states’ rights.
As a staunch Unionist from Tennessee, Johnson’s loyalty during the Civil War made him a key figure in Lincoln’s administration. However, his presidency following Lincoln’s assassination was fraught with conflict, particularly over Reconstruction and civil rights.
Johnson’s lenient policies toward the former Confederate states and his opposition to expanding rights for freed African Americans led to a historic impeachment trial.
His complex legacy continues to spark debate, reflecting both his achievements and the deep divisions of the post-Civil War era.
| Date | Event |
| December 29, 1808 | Andrew Johnson is born in Raleigh, North Carolina, into a poor family. His father dies when Johnson is only three years old, leaving his family in poverty. |
| 1824 | Johnson is apprenticed to a tailor but runs away at the age of 16. He moves to Tennessee and opens his own tailoring business. |
| 1827 | Marries Eliza McCardle. Eliza helps Johnson improve his literacy and oratory skills, supporting his political ambitions. |
| 1829 | Begins his political career by being elected to the Greeneville, Tennessee, town council. |
| 1835 | Elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives as a Democrat. |
| 1839 | Begins to identify with the Democratic Party and its support for Jacksonian ideals, including limited government and states’ rights. |
| 1843–1853 | Serves as a U.S. Representative for Tennessee, where he supports policies benefiting poor farmers and opposes government overreach. |
| 1853–1857 | Serves as Governor of Tennessee, focusing on policies to aid the working class, such as advocating for free public schools and infrastructure improvements. |
| 1857–1862 | Serves as U.S. Senator for Tennessee. Johnson defends slavery but also staunchly supports the Union during the secession crisis, making him unique among Southern Democrats. |
| 1862 | Appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as the Military Governor of Tennessee after it is occupied by Union forces. Johnson takes a harsh stance against secessionists and works to restore Union control. |
| 1864 | Chosen as Lincoln’s running mate in his bid for re-election, as a gesture to attract pro-Union Democrats and symbolize national unity. They run on the “National Union Party” ticket. |
| November 8, 1864 | Lincoln and Johnson win the presidential election, securing a second term. |
| April 15, 1865 | After Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, Andrew Johnson is sworn in as the 17th President of the United States. |
| May 1865 | Announces his plan for Reconstruction, offering leniency to former Confederates in exchange for loyalty oaths. His policies largely allow Southern states to restore white supremacy and resist African American civil rights. |
| 1866 | Johnson vetoes key Reconstruction legislation, including the Freedmen’s Bureau Bill and the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Congress overrides his vetoes, setting the stage for conflict. |
| March 1867 | The first Reconstruction Act is passed over Johnson’s veto, placing the South under military control and requiring Southern states to protect the rights of freedmen before rejoining the Union. |
| 1867 | Johnson attempts to remove Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, who supports congressional Reconstruction policies. This act violates the Tenure of Office Act and triggers a major political crisis. |
| February 24, 1868 | The House of Representatives votes to impeach Johnson, charging him with 11 articles of impeachment, primarily for violating the Tenure of Office Act and attempting to obstruct Reconstruction. |
| May 16, 1868 | Johnson narrowly avoids removal from office. The Senate vote falls short of the two-thirds majority needed, with the final tally at 35 guilty and 19 not guilty. |
| 1869 | Johnson leaves office after Ulysses S. Grant is inaugurated as President. His reputation remains damaged due to his opposition to civil rights for African Americans. |
| 1875 | Johnson is re-elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the only former president to serve in the Senate. He opposes many Republican policies, including Reconstruction, but his time is short-lived. |
| July 31, 1875 | Johnson dies from a stroke while visiting his daughter in Carter County, Tennessee. |
Timeline of Andrew Johnson
December 29, 1808
Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Jacob and Mary Johnson. His family lived in extreme poverty, and tragedy struck early when his father died after saving a man from drowning when Andrew was just three years old.
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His mother worked as a laundress to support the family, but life was difficult. Johnson’s humble origins shaped his strong connection to working-class citizens and fueled his ambition to rise beyond his difficult circumstances.
1824
As a teenager, Johnson was apprenticed to a tailor in Raleigh, where he was expected to learn the trade while working long hours. Feeling trapped by the restrictive apprenticeship, he ran away at age 16 with his brother.
They traveled through the South, taking various odd jobs, before settling in Greeneville, Tennessee. Here, Johnson opened a small tailoring shop that quickly gained local success. His interactions with customers allowed him to learn about local concerns and build a reputation in the community.
1827
In Greeneville, Johnson married Eliza McCardle, who would become a key influence in his life. Eliza was highly supportive of his ambitions and helped him improve his reading, writing, and speaking abilities.
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As Johnson had little formal education, her guidance was crucial to his development as a politician. Eliza remained a steadfast companion and advisor throughout his career, helping him refine his public image and skills.
1829
Johnson’s first official foray into politics came when he was elected to the Greeneville town council. His success was driven by his appeal to working-class citizens, as he championed policies that would benefit small business owners and laborers. He quickly developed a reputation as an effective speaker who could connect with ordinary people. His early experience in local government gave him the foundation he needed to pursue higher political positions.
1835
Johnson’s growing influence led to his election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1835 as a Democrat. His platform focused on protecting farmers and small businesses from the economic power of large landowners and banks. As a strong supporter of states’ rights and limited government, Johnson aligned himself with the Jacksonian Democratic movement, which sought to empower ordinary citizens and oppose aristocratic control.
1839
During his tenure in the state legislature, Johnson fully embraced the principles of Jacksonian democracy, advocating for the interests of common people and opposing policies that favored the wealthy elite. His alignment with the Democratic Party solidified his political identity, and his speeches increasingly highlighted his commitment to local control and opposition to centralized federal power. His growing reputation as a staunch defender of working-class interests earned him support for higher office.
1843–1853
Johnson’s political rise continued when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served five consecutive terms. During his time in Congress, Johnson remained a strong advocate for poor farmers and workers, opposing national bank policies and large infrastructure projects that he believed benefited the elite at the expense of ordinary citizens. His time in Congress allowed him to hone his legislative skills and deepen his knowledge of national politics.
1853–1857
After leaving Congress, Johnson served as Governor of Tennessee, where he focused on implementing policies that would improve the lives of the working class. His achievements included advocating for free public education and supporting infrastructure development such as railroads and roads. Johnson’s populist appeal continued to grow as he positioned himself as a champion of the common man against the influence of wealthy landowners and businessmen.
1857–1862
Johnson’s tenure as a U.S. Senator during the secession crisis showcased his complex political stance. While he defended the institution of slavery, he was fiercely loyal to the Union and opposed secession. This made him one of the few Southern Democrats to remain in Congress after most Southern states seceded. His dedication to preserving the Union earned him respect from President Abraham Lincoln and set the stage for his national prominence during the Civil War.
1862
As the Civil War raged, Johnson was appointed Military Governor of Tennessee by President Lincoln. In this role, he worked to reestablish federal authority in the state and suppress Confederate sympathizers. Johnson’s governance was marked by his harsh measures against secessionists and efforts to promote loyalty to the Union. His success in restoring order in Tennessee further elevated his national profile and made him a key ally for Lincoln’s administration.
1864
In a bid to broaden support for his re-election, Lincoln chose Johnson as his running mate on the National Union Party ticket. Johnson’s Southern roots and pro-Union stance were seen as a way to attract pro-Union Democrats and moderate Southerners. The partnership symbolized a desire for national unity, bringing together diverse political factions to support the war effort and the preservation of the Union.
November 8, 1864
Lincoln and Johnson secured a decisive victory in the presidential election, signaling public support for the continuation of the war and the reunification of the nation. The victory underscored the strength of the National Union Party coalition and set the stage for Johnson’s unexpected rise to the presidency following Lincoln’s assassination.
April 15, 1865
Following Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre, Johnson was sworn in as the 17th President of the United States. His sudden rise to power came at a critical moment as the nation faced the challenge of Reconstruction. Johnson’s presidency would be defined by his efforts to reintegrate the Southern states into the Union and his controversial stance on civil rights for freed African Americans.
May 1865
Johnson unveiled his plan for Reconstruction, which offered leniency to former Confederates who took loyalty oaths. His approach allowed many Southern leaders to regain power quickly, which led to the restoration of pre-war social and political structures. Johnson’s policies were criticized for enabling the passage of Black Codes, which restricted the rights of African Americans and maintained white supremacy in the South.
1866
Johnson’s presidency faced major opposition from Radical Republicans in Congress, who sought stronger measures to protect freedmen’s rights. Johnson vetoed the Freedmen’s Bureau Bill and the Civil Rights Act of 1866, arguing that federal intervention violated states’ rights. Congress overrode his vetoes, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between the executive and legislative branches.
March 1867
The first Reconstruction Act was passed over Johnson’s veto, placing the South under military control and requiring Southern states to adopt new constitutions guaranteeing voting rights for African Americans. Johnson’s opposition to the act deepened his rift with Congress, leading to further tensions as Reconstruction policies were implemented without his support.
1867
Johnson’s decision to remove Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, a key ally of the Radical Republicans, triggered a constitutional crisis. His action violated the Tenure of Office Act, which required Senate approval for the dismissal of certain officials. This decision led directly to his impeachment by the House of Representatives and further damaged his presidency.
February 24, 1868
The House of Representatives voted to impeach Johnson, charging him with 11 articles of impeachment, primarily for violating the Tenure of Office Act. The trial in the Senate was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, as it was the first impeachment trial of a president. Johnson’s fate hung in the balance as the nation watched closely.
May 16, 1868
The Senate vote on Johnson’s impeachment fell one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict him. With 35 senators voting guilty and 19 voting not guilty, Johnson narrowly avoided removal from office. His presidency, however, was severely weakened, and he spent his remaining months in office with limited political influence.
1869
Johnson left office as Ulysses S. Grant was inaugurated as the 18th president. His presidency remained controversial due to his opposition to Reconstruction and civil rights for African Americans. Johnson returned to Tennessee, where he remained active in local politics and sought redemption after his political downfall.
1875
Despite his tarnished reputation, Johnson was re-elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the only former president to serve in the Senate. He used his position to continue opposing Republican Reconstruction policies, although his influence was limited. His return to the Senate symbolized a personal comeback, but his time in office was short-lived.
July 31, 1875
Johnson died from a stroke while visiting his daughter in Carter County, Tennessee. His death marked the end of a complex and turbulent political career. Although his presidency is often viewed unfavorably due to his opposition to civil rights, his legacy includes his role in navigating the Union through the aftermath of the Civil War.