Lincoln’s Vice Presidents
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, served two terms in office from 1861 until his elimination in 1865. During his presidency, he had two vice presidents, both of whom played significant roles in American politics. The first vice president was Hannibal Hamlin, and the second was Andrew Johnson, who eventually became the 17th President of the United States after Lincoln’s elimination.
The First VP: Hannibal Hamlin
Hannibal Hamlin was a senator from Maine and a staunch abolitionist who was selected as Lincoln’s running mate during the 1860 presidential election. Hamlin served as vice president from 1861 to 1865 and was known for his work on behalf of the Union during the Civil War. He also helped to pass the Homestead Act, which provided land to settlers in the West, and the Morrill Act, which established land-grant colleges.
The Second VP: Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was a senator from Tennessee and a Democrat who was selected as Lincoln’s running mate during his re-election campaign in 1864. Johnson had been a staunch Unionist during the Civil War, and Lincoln saw him as a way to appeal to Southern Democrats and bring the country back together after the war. Johnson served as vice president for only 42 days before Lincoln’s elimination in April 1865.
Lincoln’s Bad guyation and Succession
On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was bad guyated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. His death sent shockwaves throughout the nation, and Vice President Andrew Johnson was suddenly thrust into the presidency. Johnson took the oath of office as president on April 15, 1865, just hours after Lincoln’s death.
Johnson Becomes President
As president, Johnson faced the daunting task of rebuilding the country after the Civil War. He set out to restore the Union and bring the Southern states back into the fold, but his policies were met with resistance from both Republicans and Southern Democrats. He also clashed with Congress over issues such as civil rights for African Americans and the role of the federal government in Reconstruction.
Johnson’s Presidency and Reconstruction
Johnson’s presidency was marked by controversy and conflict, as he struggled to navigate the difficult political landscape of the post-Civil War era. He vetoed several Civil Rights bills that were designed to protect the rights of African Americans, and he clashed with Republicans in Congress over his lenient policies towards the former Confederate states. Johnson also faced criticism for his personal conduct, which was seen as erratic and un-presidential.
Impeachment and Controversy
The tension between Johnson and Congress eventually boiled over into a bitter feud, which culminated in his impeachment in 1868. Johnson was accused of violating the Tenure of Office Act, which required the president to obtain Senate approval before removing certain officials from office. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Johnson, but he was acquitted by a single vote in the Senate.
The 1868 Presidential Election
After surviving impeachment, Johnson declined to seek re-election in 1868. Instead, he supported his friend and fellow Democrat, Horatio Seymour, in his bid for the presidency. However, Seymour was defeated by Republican nominee Ulysses S. Grant, who went on to serve two terms as president.
Ulysses S. Grant Becomes President
Ulysses S. Grant, a former Union general, was elected as the 18th President of the United States in 1868. He served two terms in office, during which time he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of the Gilded Age. Grant’s presidency was marked by corruption and scandal, but he also made significant strides in the areas of civil rights and Native American policy.
Legacy of Lincoln’s VPs
Although both of Lincoln’s vice presidents served only brief terms in office, they played important roles in American politics during a crucial period in the country’s history. Hamlin helped to pass important legislation, such as the Homestead and Morrill Acts, while Johnson was thrust into the presidency during a time of great turmoil and change. Their legacies continue to be felt today.
Conclusion: The Importance of Vice Presidents
The role of the vice president is often overlooked, but it is a crucial one. The vice president serves as the president’s second-in-command and is responsible for assuming the presidency in the event of the president’s death or resignation. As we have seen with Lincoln’s vice presidents, the vice president can also play an important role in shaping the course of American history.
