One of the main reasons for the conflict between President Johnson and Congress after Lincoln's assassination was differing visions for the reconstruction of the Southern states following the Civil War. President Johnson favored a more lenient approach towards the Southern states and allowed them to quickly rejoin the Union with few conditions. However, many in Congress, known as Radical Republicans, believed that the Southern states needed to be punished for their role in the war and pushed for stricter requirements for readmission, including guaranteeing rights for freed slaves.
Additionally, President Johnson's clashes with Congress over issues such as the Freedmen's Bureau, civil rights legislation, and the Tenure of Office Act further fueled the conflict between the two branches of government. President Johnson's use of vetoes and his attempts to block congressional legislation only deepened the divide and led to impeachment proceedings against him in 1868.
Overall, the conflict between President Johnson and Congress after Lincoln's assassination stemmed from disagreements over the reconstruction process and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government.
Why did conflict erupt between president Johnson and congress after Lincoln’s assassination?
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