The Worst President? Meet Andrew Johnson

Subscribe now to skip ads! Keep the narrative flow going with ad-free listening. When John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln in April 1865, the United States would have its third accidental president. The Southern unionist and Democrat Andrew Johnson of Tennessee at first seemed to be an ally of Republicans in the monumental task of Reconstruction, for he agreed that the Southern states could not come back unless they ratified the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery. But Johnson's presidency quickly spiraled as he bitterly fought Congress over Reconstruction's control and sought to obstruct all efforts at achieving Black equality. In this episode, historian Jim Oakes tells us what made Andrew Johnson arguably the worst president in U.S. history. Further listening: The Worst President? Meet James Buchanan w/ Jim Oakes Go to historyasithappens.com to learn more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.