marydilip.info – Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, is a figure whose ascent to the highest office in the land is marked by a series of improbable events, a deep commitment to the Union, and an unyielding belief in states’ rights. His life story, from his humble beginnings as an impoverished tailor’s apprentice to becoming president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, reveals a man who was deeply shaped by the turbulent political and social landscape of the time. Johnson’s path to the White House was neither smooth nor straightforward, and his legacy as president remains highly controversial. However, his journey through adversity is an essential part of American history.
This article explores Andrew Johnson’s life, his rise through the ranks of local and national politics, and his eventual, unexpected rise to the presidency. Understanding his path to the White House requires an examination of his personal background, his early political career, his role as military governor of Tennessee, and his selection as Abraham Lincoln’s vice president—culminating in his controversial presidency.
Early Life: Humble Beginnings in North Carolina
Born into Poverty
Andrew Johnson was born on December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, North Carolina, into a poor family. His father, Jacob Johnson, was a worker, but the family lived in abject poverty. Johnson’s mother, Mary McDonough, was left to raise him and his siblings when his father died when Andrew was just three years old. Without much formal schooling, Johnson’s early life was one of hardship, and he was forced to work to support his family from a very young age.
At the age of 10, Andrew Johnson was apprenticed to a local tailor, where he learned the trade that would define much of his early life. Despite his lack of formal education, Johnson developed a strong sense of self-reliance and ambition. He was determined to rise above his humble beginnings. His experience as a tailor also provided him with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by ordinary working people, which would shape his later political views.
Moving to Tennessee: A New Start
At the age of 18, Andrew Johnson moved to Greeneville, Tennessee, where he continued to work as a tailor. It was in Tennessee that Johnson would begin his rise in local politics. He married Eliza McCardle in 1827, and the couple would have five children together. Johnson’s wife was instrumental in his self-education, teaching him to read and write—skills he would later use to enhance his political career.
In Greeneville, Johnson became active in local politics, where his populist appeal and personal drive gained him the respect of his community. His political career began in earnest in 1830 when he was elected to the Greeneville town council. Over the next decade, he gradually moved into higher levels of public service, and in 1835, Johnson was elected mayor of Greeneville.
Johnson’s early political ideology was shaped by his experiences as a self-made man, and he became known as a defender of the common people. His platform focused on economic opportunity, infrastructure development, and the rights of poor whites. He also became a vocal critic of the elite class and of wealthy landowners. His politics would later shift, but his early populist convictions played a key role in building his political base.
From State Politics to the U.S. Senate
The Rise to the Tennessee Legislature
In the 1830s, Andrew Johnson’s growing political influence in Tennessee led him to higher office. In 1835, he was elected to the Tennessee state legislature, where he served for several years. His rise in the state legislature was a result of his ability to connect with working-class voters and his opposition to the economic policies that favored the elite and wealthy landowners.
As a member of the state legislature, Johnson began to make a name for himself as a staunch advocate for internal improvements, such as better roads and infrastructure, which he believed would help foster economic opportunity for poorer Tennesseans. Johnson also became known for his defense of states’ rights, a position that would become central to his political philosophy later in life.
U.S. House of Representatives: A National Figure Emerges
In 1843, Andrew Johnson’s political career took a significant leap when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served as a member of the House from 1843 to 1853, where he became known for his support of President James K. Polk’s agenda and his advocacy for tariffs to protect American industry. Johnson’s populist rhetoric and his consistent support for internal improvements earned him the loyalty of working-class voters, particularly those in the South.
During his time in Congress, Johnson developed a reputation as a pragmatic and independent politician. Though he supported many Democratic Party initiatives, he often found himself at odds with the party leadership, especially on issues related to slavery and the expansion of the nation. Johnson was firmly against the spread of slavery into new territories, but he was not an abolitionist. His opposition to the expansion of slavery was based on the belief that the institution would undermine the opportunities for poor whites.
Governor of Tennessee: Shaping Southern Politics
After leaving Congress in 1853, Andrew Johnson was elected governor of Tennessee in 1853, a position he held until 1857. His time as governor further cemented his reputation as a man of the people, as he championed policies designed to improve the lives of poor white farmers and working people. Johnson’s approach was a mix of economic populism and moderate stances on slavery. He opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories but remained a loyal Democrat and supported states’ rights.
Johnson’s time as governor also saw his first real encounters with the growing political divisions over slavery and the secessionist movement in the South. As the nation edged closer to Civil War, Johnson was a vocal critic of secession and argued for the preservation of the Union. His loyalty to the Union would eventually lead him to make the decision that would change the course of American history.
Civil War and the Military Governorship of Tennessee
The Civil War: A Unionist in a Divided South
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Johnson found himself in a difficult position. Though he was a Southern Democrat, he was strongly opposed to secession and believed that the South should remain part of the Union. He was one of the few Southern politicians to oppose the Confederacy. As Tennessee seceded and joined the Confederate States of America, Johnson’s political future seemed uncertain.
In 1862, following the Union’s military victory in Tennessee, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Andrew Johnson as the military governor of Tennessee. This role would prove to be crucial to Johnson’s future political fortunes. As military governor, Johnson was tasked with overseeing the restoration of Union rule in the state. His approach was conciliatory toward the South, focusing on reconciliation and quick re-entry into the Union without excessive punishment of former Confederates.
Johnson’s Military Governance and His Popularity in the North
During his time as military governor, Johnson became increasingly popular in the North. He was hailed as a Unionist hero who had remained loyal to the United States despite the strong Confederate sympathies in his home state. Johnson’s efforts to restore civilian rule in Tennessee and his willingness to offer amnesty to many former Confederates earned him praise from President Lincoln and the Republican Party.
By the time of Lincoln’s re-election in 1864, Johnson had become a prominent figure in national politics. His selection as Lincoln’s vice-presidential running mate was seen as a strategic move to appeal to Southern Unionists and to demonstrate the President’s commitment to national reconciliation.
Vice President and Ascension to the Presidency
The 1864 Election: A Union Ticket
In the 1864 presidential election, Lincoln sought re-election during a time of great national crisis. He faced a divided nation and a country embroiled in civil war. In order to broaden his appeal, especially in the South and among Unionists, Lincoln chose Johnson, a Southern Unionist, as his running mate.
The inclusion of Johnson on the ticket was meant to signal to Southern Unionists and Northern Democrats that Lincoln was committed to healing the nation’s wounds. The ticket of Lincoln and Johnson represented national unity and a vision of reconciliation between the North and South. They were elected in a landslide victory.
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln: Johnson Takes Office
Tragedy struck just weeks after the election when President Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth. With Lincoln’s death, Vice President Andrew Johnson was thrust into the presidency at a critical moment in American history. The nation was left in shock, and the future of the Union and the newly freed slaves was uncertain. Johnson’s political experience and loyalty to the Union made him the logical successor, but his approach to Reconstruction would spark conflict with Congress and shape his presidency in ways that few could have anticipated.
Conclusion: An Unexpected Path to the White House
Andrew Johnson’s journey from a poor tailor in North Carolina to the 17th President of the United States is one of the most remarkable political stories in American history. His rise from humble beginnings to national prominence is a testament to his personal resilience, his ability to connect with ordinary Americans, and his unwavering commitment to the Union. However, his presidency, marked by deep political divisions and his controversial Reconstruction policies, ultimately led to a complex and contested legacy.
Though Johnson’s path to the White House was largely shaped by the tragedies and challenges of the Civil War, his time in office reminds us of the fragile nature of political unity in the aftermath of national conflict. Andrew Johnson’s presidency was a critical chapter in the history of Reconstruction, and his path to the White House stands as a defining example of political survival and the challenges of leading a nation divided.