Andrew Johnson

Upon Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Johnson became the 17th president. He took office during the final stages of the Civil War and faced the challenge of Reconstruction.

Johnson issued a proclamation granting amnesty to most former Confederates and allowing Southern states to rejoin the Union quickly. His lenient plan excluded African Americans from political participation.

Johnson vetoed the Civil Rights Act, which granted citizenship and equal rights to African Americans. Congress overrode his veto, marking the first major override of a presidential veto on a major bill.

Johnson approved the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The acquisition added 586,412 square miles to U.S. territory, though it was initially criticized as 'Seward's Folly'.

The House impeached Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. He was the first U.S. president to be impeached.

Johnson was acquitted by the Senate by one vote, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction. He remained in office but was politically weakened.