From 1863 to 1876, the United States was a wounded nation, consistently tested and battling the
growing pains of reconstruction. This turn of a new time bore many of the issues that are debated in
modern day politics. During this period our nation experienced groundbreaking legislation along with
the development of a comprehensive system of political and economic inequality fueled by racism. This
was a time where the practice of checks and balances truly showed its value as Congress played the lead
role in pushing our nation through these dark and violent times.
On April 15th, 1865, 16th President, Abraham Lincoln succumb to his wounds and left our very feeble
nation in the hands of an incorrigibly racist man in the name of Andrew Johnson. The Johnson
administration was the exact opposite of what our nation needed during this time of healing and
conformity. In fact, today historians credit Andrew Johnson as the worst president to occupy the White
House. With Johnson in command, our nation lost its integrity and direction. The United States was at a
pivotal point that could be compared to as a box of kindling, ready to explode with the simplest draw of
a match. Johnson was a man unwilling and unable to work with Congress and accept political criticism.
This was proven by his continuous vetoing of all pro freedom legislation presented. From the bill
creating the Freedmen’s Bureau to even the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Johnson vetoed them all. Even as a
heroic defender of the constitution against radical republicans, President Johnson did everything in his
power to maintain control and suffrage over the black populous. He even took it upon himself to
formulate Southern governments run by ex-confederate, pro-slavery politicians. During this
administration, the nation quickly observed the recoil of African American civil rights as the Black Codes
were implemented to severely limit all freed people’s rights and opportunities. These radical political
movements incited massive black protests and shaped the populous belief that the white south was in
fact restoring slavery, just under different terms.
