From: Anonymous Seven
Date: 4/26/00
Time: 11:04:24 AM
Remote Name: 155.247.175.23
Anonymous Seven History 67 Week Fourteen Primary Source Assignment #1 Andrew Johnson had quite an active political career. His interesting history started back in Raleigh, N.C. where he was born on December 29, 1808. Johnson's father drowned attempting to save a life when the future president was only four. If seemed as if Johnson who became a tailor's apprentice would be trapped in poverty and illiteracy. But with the help of a gentleman who liked to read speeches to the tailor's employees and later from the help of his wife Johnson became quite educated. From this point Johnson's life in politics took off. He started by gaining the popularity to become mayor of Greenville, Tenn. Next he moved to state government eventually becoming a senator. Congress was the next stop for ten years before earning the title of governor of Tennessee. After Johnson served two terms here he moved on to the United States Senate. His Union support placed him in his next post. Abraham Lincoln nominated Johnson as Military Governor of Tennessee. This led to the next role as Vice President next to the re-nominated Lincoln. But with the President's April 14, 1865 assassination, Johnson was led to his seat as the leader of the nation. The author of Andrew Johnson's New York Times obituary did not seem to be for his impeachment. The President was painted out to be a hero as all of his finest accomplishments were highlighted. There were very little negative aspects of his life pointed out. The impeachment was downplayed and just briefly summarized. Other primary sources could be consulted to draw a conclusion about Johnson's impeachment. Information from additional newspapers both of the North and South may shed light on the event. Congressional documents would also provide a look at what occurred during the trial.