After Lincoln was shot dead, America was entrusted in the hands of Andrew Johnson. He became the 17th president of the United States and it was his responsibility to help the North and South work together again.
Much to the disappointment of the Republicans, Johnson continued the lenient policies towards the South that were initiated by Lincoln. He also sanctioned the readmission of those states that were separated from the Union with few provisions for reform or civil rights for freed slaves. Though free, they were largely uneducated and subject to exploitation and mistreatment.
Johnson and Congress agreed on very little. He opposed the granting of citizenship to former slaves. However, the African-Americans were granted citizenship as per the 14th Amendment of the 1866 Congress. Due to the many disagreements, the House of Representatives voted to impeach him in 1868.
This was the first such occurrence in the history of the US. Johnson was not found guilty; however, he ended his term after the trials.
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