Question

difference between Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson during the Civil war and Reconstruction

Answer 1

Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson were both key figures in American history during the Civil War and Reconstruction, but they had different approaches and philosophies regarding the issues of war, emancipation, and the reintegration of the Southern states.

### Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

1. **Role During the Civil War:**
- Lincoln served as President of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He was a primary leader during the Civil War, working to preserve the Union.
- His administration focused on military strategy and leadership and navigating the complex dynamics of war.

2. **Emancipation:**
- Lincoln is best known for the Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. Although it did not immediately free all slaves, it was a significant step toward the abolition of slavery.
- He viewed emancipation as a military necessity and a moral imperative.

3. **Reconstruction Vision:**
- Lincoln proposed a lenient approach to Reconstruction, with the aim of quickly reintegrating Southern states into the Union. His "10 Percent Plan" allowed states to rejoin the Union once 10% of their voters took an oath of loyalty.
- He emphasized reconciliation and healing the nation rather than retribution against the South.

4. **Civil Rights:**
- Lincoln began to lay the groundwork for civil rights for freed slaves, but his policies were more focused on unifying the nation rather than strictly addressing social equality.

### Andrew Johnson (1808-1875)

1. **Role During Reconstruction:**
- Johnson became President after Lincoln's assassination in April 1865. His presidency coincided with the immediate post-war Reconstruction period.
- Johnson's approach was less organized than Lincoln’s and was marked by a struggle with Congress, particularly with Radical Republicans who wanted a more stringent plan for the South.

2. **Emancipation:**
- Johnson supported the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, but he did not champion civil rights for freed African Americans. He believed in states' rights and favored a quick restoration of the Southern states without placing significant restrictions on them.

3. **Reconstruction Vision:**
- Johnson's approach was more lenient than that of Radical Republicans in Congress. He offered pardons to many Confederate leaders and allowed Southern states to reestablish their governments with minimal requirements.
- His policies led to the implementation of "Black Codes" in the South, which restricted the rights and freedoms of African Americans.

4. **Civil Rights:**
- Johnson’s presidency saw significant backlash against his policies from Congress, resulting in the impeachment of Johnson in 1868. He was not supportive of the civil rights agenda that many in Congress were pushing for, which ultimately contributed to tensions during Reconstruction.

### Summary

The primary differences between Lincoln and Johnson during the Civil War and Reconstruction lay in their approaches to leadership during the conflict, emancipation, and the treatment of the Southern states during Reconstruction. Lincoln favored a more cautious, reconciliatory approach aimed at preserving the Union and promoting gradual emancipation, whereas Johnson's leniency toward the South and lack of commitment to civil rights for African Americans led to significant political conflict and setbacks in the Reconstruction process. Lincoln's vision was more transformative, while Johnson's approach was seen as a continuation of pre-war policies that did not address the deeper issues of societal change.