Why did conflict erupt between president Johnson and Congress after Abraham Lincoln's assassination?
Conflict erupted between President Johnson and Congress after Abraham Lincoln's assassination because of their differing views on how to handle the reconstruction of the Southern states following the end of the Civil War. President Johnson, a Southern Democrat, favored a more lenient approach to Reconstruction that allowed for a quick and easy reintegration of the Southern states back into the Union. However, Congress, which was controlled by Republicans who had a more radical stance on Reconstruction, wanted to enforce stricter conditions on the Southern states, including the protection of civil rights for freed slaves.
This disagreement led to a power struggle between President Johnson and Congress, with Johnson using his veto power to block Congress's attempts to enact their Reconstruction policies. Congress responded by passing legislation that limited the President's authority and empowered the federal government to oversee the Reconstruction process. This conflict eventually led to Johnson's impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1868, although he was acquitted by the Senate and remained in office until the end of his term.