A historiographical study of Andrew Johnson.

What is it about?

The chapter draws on a variety of sources to develop some ideas about how Andrew Johnson has been interpreted by scholars, as either a craven white supremacist and a bumbling president, or as a principled upholder of the Constitution.

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Why is it important?

The article suggests that neither characterisation of Johnson (as white supremacist or as defender of the Lost Cause) holds enough water to adequately reckon with him or his legacy in American politics.