With Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, Andrew Johnson became president. Johnson, a Democrat, believed state governments should have more power than the federal government. While he led the Reconstruction efforts, he pardoned many former Confederates and did not oppose the new “Black Code” laws many Southern states were enacting. Radical Republicans in Congress clashed with President Johnson over his approach. The Radical Republicans included Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, among others. They wanted a much stricter approach to the former Confederacy. They also wanted to ensure that African Americans in the South had rights and freedoms. Eventually, moderate Republicans joined forces with the Radical Republicans and took control of Reconstruction efforts, passing the Fourteenth Amendment. They then passed the Reconstruction Act, which divided the South into five districts under federal control. Months later, the tension between Congress and the President peaked. Andrew Johnson became the first president to be impeached. He kept his office by a single vote.

Question

With Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, Andrew Johnson became president. Johnson, a Democrat, believed state governments should have more power than the federal government. While he led the Reconstruction efforts, he pardoned many former Confederates and did not oppose the new “Black Code” laws many Southern states were enacting. Radical Republicans in Congress clashed with President Johnson over his approach. The Radical Republicans included Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, among others. They wanted a much stricter approach to the former Confederacy. They also wanted to ensure that African Americans in the South had rights and freedoms. Eventually, moderate Republicans joined forces with the Radical Republicans and took control of Reconstruction efforts, passing the Fourteenth Amendment. They then passed the Reconstruction Act, which divided the South into five districts under federal control. Months later, the tension between Congress and the President peaked. Andrew Johnson became the first president to be impeached. He kept his office by a single vote.

Which of these statements would Charles Sumner and Thaddeus Stevens most likely agree with?

A
President Johnson was too strict on the former Confederate states.

B
President Johnson went too far to protect the freedoms of African Americans.

C
President Johnson did not believe strongly in state rights.

D
President Johnson was too lenient on the former Confederate states.

Answer 1

D

President Johnson was too lenient on the former Confederate states.