* Congress had enough votes to override all Presidential vetoes!
CONFLICT #1:
Congress passed the Civil Rights Act in 1866, giving U.S. citizenship to African-Americans.
Caused
President Johnson vetoed the bill.
Caused
Representatives in Congress overrode the veto. (with a 2/3 majority)
CONFLICT #2:
Congress attempted to ratify the 14th Amendment, which would:
- Grant U.S. citizenship to all people born in the U.S. (including former slaves)
- Make it illegal to discriminate against people (making black codes unconstitutional)
* Pres. Johnson opposed the 14th Amendment, and convinced all Southern states, except Tennessee, to vote against it.
CONFLICT #3
Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act in 1867. This law stated that the President could not remove members of his Cabinet without Senate approval.
* President Johnson then fired Secretary of War Edward Stanton in order to test the law.
CONFLICT #4
Congress passed the Reconstruction Act in 1867. This law:
- threw out all Southern states that refused to ratify the 14th Amendment.
- divided the South into five military districts, each ruled by a U.S. general.
- required all Southern states to:
- write a new state Constitution.
- ratify the 14th Amendment.
- allow all African-Americans the right to vote.
