Which of the following statements is FALSE about Andrew Johnson's perspective about the South?
Answer
He viewed Southern plantation aristocrats with contempt.
He wanted to treat the South similar to a conquered province.
He blamed individuals for leading the South to war.
He forbade pardons to approximately 30% of southerners who applied.
.
To determine which of the statements is false about Andrew Johnson's perspective about the South, let's go through each statement and examine it:
Statement 1: He viewed Southern plantation aristocrats with contempt.
To verify this statement, we can look into Andrew Johnson's perspective on the Southern plantation aristocrats. Johnson was known to hold a deep resentment towards the Southern elite and their dominance. He believed that they were responsible for leading the South into rebellion. Therefore, this statement is true.
Statement 2: He wanted to treat the South similar to a conquered province.
To verify this statement, we can look into Johnson's plans and policies during the Reconstruction era. Johnson wanted to quickly restore the Southern states back into the Union without imposing harsh punishments or radical changes. While he did take a lenient approach towards the South, he did not view them as a conquered province. Instead, he believed that they should be treated as the rightful members of the Union with minimal interference from the federal government. Therefore, this statement is false.
Statement 3: He blamed individuals for leading the South to war.
To verify this statement, we can examine Johnson's speeches and statements during and after the Civil War. Johnson placed blame on individuals, particularly the Southern elites, for causing the war. He believed that Southern leaders were responsible for misleading their fellow citizens and leading them into rebellion. Therefore, this statement is true.
Statement 4: He forbade pardons to approximately 30% of southerners who applied.
To verify this statement, we can look into Johnson's pardoning policies during the Reconstruction era. Johnson implemented a lenient policy towards pardoning former Confederates who had applied for amnesty. It is estimated that around 90% of those who applied for pardons were granted amnesty. While the exact percentage of those denied pardons is not specifically mentioned, it is unlikely that it was as high as 30%. Therefore, this statement is also false.
In conclusion, the false statement about Andrew Johnson's perspective about the South is: "He wanted to treat the South similar to a conquered province."