AIM 5: Why did President Johnson Argue With Congress?

The Republicans in Congress wanted to help the Freedmen, & hoped that when they were able to vote that they would vote for Republican candidates.

Fourteenth Amendment: Guaranteed citizenship to all freedmen & to anyone born in the United States. The southern states had to ratify (pass into law) the 14^th Amendment before they could be readmitted into the Union.

Freedmen’s Bureau: Agency created by the federal government to help feed, clothe, educate, shelter & give medical attention to the freed slaves & poor southern whites.

Reconstruction Act of 1867: Law passed over President Johnson’s veto. Many members of Congress were angry with the South for taking away the Freedmen’s rights. The southern states were required to accept the 14^th Amendment before they could reenter the Union. Congress wanted revenge on the South for starting the war, assassinating Lincoln, & not giving the Freedmen their complete freedom.

Congress & President Johnson argued over the passage of many bills with Johnson vetoed! Johnson was impeached by Congress & a trial was held in the Senate. Johnson stayed in office by one vote!

In the Presidential election of 1868 the votes of the Freedmen helped elect General Ulysses s. Grant, a Republican, as the 18^th President.

HOMEWORK: Read pgs. 332 - -335.

Do pages 342 – 343 ques. 2,4,5,8,& 12, & page 331 ques 1 – 5.