Question

Which answer choice BEST describes Andrew Johnson's approach toward the Southern states after Lincoln's assassination?

 A. Johnson used the shift in political power to enforce merciful laws and policies for Reconstruction on both former Confederates and African-Americans in Southern states.

B. Johnson used the shift in political power to give Southern states and former Confederate soldiers greater power to create laws that limited rights for African-Americans.

C. Johnson used his position to continue the policies that Lincoln had outlined for Reconstruction with regard to voting rights for African-Americans and former Confederate soldiers.

D. Johnson used his position to appoint former Confederate leaders from Southern states to high positions in the Senate and other powerful branches of the U.S. government

Answer 1

Answer: B. Johnson used the shift in political power to give Southern states and former Confederate soldiers greater power to create laws that limited rights for African-Americans.

Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869, right after president Abraham Lincoln.

Johnson continued the process of Reconstruction in Southern States. However, he adopted a different strategy from that of Lincoln. He supported the decision of Southern States to reelect a lot of their former leaders, and to pass laws restricting the rights of African Americans. Johnson also opposed the Fourteenth Amendment, which gave citizenship to former slaves. He was impeached by the House of Representatives and narrowly avoided removal from office. He eventually left office in 1869.