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Lesson

Andrew Johnson and the Civil War Amendments

Guiding question

How did President Andrew Johnson interpret the Constitution with respect to restoring the Union after the Civil War?

Duration
50 min
Published
Jun 21, 2021
Andrew Johnson Veto Nast Political Cartoon
President Andrew Johnson saw himself as a protector of the United States Constitution during and after the Civil War. In his efforts to preserve and restore the Union, he supported the Thirteenth Amendment ending slavery. The same motive led him to oppose the Fourteenth Amendment because he believed it would infringe on the legitimate powers of the states. In this lesson, students analyze Johnson’s leadership with respect to Reconstruction, and specifically his response to the passage of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Objectives:

Students will:

  • Trace the constitutional controversies of Andrew Johnson’s presidency.
  • Understand Johnson’s constitutional objections to the Fourteenth Amendment and other elements of Reconstruction.
  • Evaluate Johnson’s understanding of the Constitution.

Materials

  • Handout A: Andrew Johnson and the Civil War Amendments
  • Handout B: Johnson’s First Annual Message to Congress, December 1865

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: Andrew Johnson and the Civil War Amendments
ActivityHandout B: Johnson’s First Annual Message to Congress, December 1865
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Lesson plan

50 minClick a phase to open it

More Information

To create a context for this lesson, have students complete Constitutional Connection: Slavery and the Constitution.

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →

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