Lyndon Johnson Argumentative Essay

Johnson was loyal to the Union but did not agree completely with Lincoln’s view on the freedom of African Americans since he was from Tennessee. Andrew Johnson wanted to reconstruct the nation but did not think the freedom of African Americans had anything role in it. Johnson pardons confederate leaders and lets the southern states incorporate Black Codes into their state constitutions. Eric Foner explains that “what aroused the most opposition to Johnson’s Reconstruction policy were the Black Codes, laws passed by the new southern governments that attempted to regulate the lives of the former slaves”(565). The Black Codes kept African Americans freedom limited, which is not what the republicans wanted.

These Republicans and the president had different views and plan on the reconstruction of the United States. Reconstruction was the integration of both the newly liberated African American and the southern states that had to secede from the union. While President Johnson wanted the seceded states to go through a process for pardon, the Republicans weren’t 100% convinced but they decided to go along with the plan until the legislature passed the black code laws. When the Republicans found out, that’s is when they decided to do disagree with the Presidents reconstruction plan. With the passing of these new laws, the Republicans were afraid that the south would gain power again.

He tried to become President in 1960 but lost to John F. Kennedy. However, he became vice president for John F. Kennedy. After John F. Kennedy was killed, Lyndon B. Johnson took his place. With previous problems regarding Civil rights, people asked if President Lyndon B. Johnson pass the Civil Rights bill because he wanted the majority vote for the presidential election, or because it was morally right?

Wilkins asked. Why would Johnson wait so long before announcing his position on this very serious issue? It makes most sense that L.B.J. suddenly changed his mind, for political reasons. Lyndon B. Johnson definitely signed this act with political intentions. Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act for political reasons like, gaining the approval of the public, showing people that he has changed, and to please the people of

He wanted quick restoration for the Union states and not so much the southern and confederate states. He was not a person who was in favor of the slaves. He didn't have any intention on giving equal rights to the slaves, like white people, and he came into conflict with the Republican-dominated Congress. Later this will lead up to his impeachment. Andrew Johnson was the first US president to ever be impeached.

As shown Andrew Johnson had many personal issues and things that he disliked about the Reconstruction plan and the rights that were being given to Blacks. His opinions are mainly what made him a limited leader and not very likable by the standards of most of the American people. The mindset and the way that people saw Johnson started to change in a bad way, once they saw how he truly felt. His thoughts on civil rights and political rights contradicted those of Lincoln’s which were embraced by many across the nation. Rules and regulations that Abraham Lincoln had wanted and designed were edited for the worse.

At the beginning of Andrew Johnson’s Presidency many believed that he would punish the South for their treason during the Civil War and support African American suffrage. (Page 83) However, this changed when Johnson began to set up his plans for Reconstruction in 1865 when he moved to pardon all Confederates that pledged an oath of loyalty and the returning of all of their property with the exclusion of slaves. The only exception to this would be for high-ranking Confederate generals who owned property that exceeded over $20,000 were required to apply for Presidential pardons. With the passing of the Black Codes and violence seen towards African Americans in the South, prompted the Radical Republicans to take matters into their hands.

Johnson had a belief to have America to this “Great Society” he had plans to be. Johnson said his plan to a “Great Society” to be that it rests on plenty and freedom for the people and it demands an end to poverty and racial inequality, saying this is only the beginning of the society. It was clear Johnson had a plan for America and where he wanted it to go. Though, through his Presidency he had some issues with the war and he wanted to run again for a second term. It didn’t look good for Johnson though to be able to be President for a second term due to his approval rating being low because of Vietnam.

African Americans strongly resisted the implementation of these measures, and they seriously undermined Northern support for Johnson’s policies. This caused the North to begin to cease their support for President

He never really put much thought into his decisions except for the fact of was he going to be liked. This is the third and final most important reason on why he signing of the Civil Rights Act was based purely on politics. In conclusion, The Civil Rights Act was signed through politics and he did win the election of 1964. America did benefit greatly from the new laws creating equal opportunity for all who lived there. In his new term, Johnson created the Great Society which allowed many unprivileged children have equal footing for school.

    One reason that reveals President Johnson’s principled motivation can be found in Doc A. L.B.J first job after college was being a teacher in Cotulla, Texas. He was teaching Mexican children who were poor but tried their best to learn and look nice for school. He wanted to teach this school of 5,6, and 7 graders because at the time there was poverty and segregation and was willing help even if

Lyndon B Johnson was the president who signed the civil rights act of 1964, a landmark piece of legislature ensuring equal rights, yet some controversy remains about the reasons for why he signed it. LBJ was born in Stonewall Texas, August 27, 1908 and raised in a local political family. By the time he was an adult he was working as a teacher in a segregated school, teaching kids considered non-white, then as a senator, and finally LBJ became the 36th President of the United States of America. The question is, did Lyndon B. Johnson sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964 based on Principle, or Politics. Doing something for politics means to do it for personal benefit.

In 1957 Johnson was a senator for the state of Texas, the 1957 Civil Rights Bill was brought to his attention. According to Document D, he did not directly oppose the bill; however, he did help push through a provision saying that anyone accused of violating the act would get a jury trial. Most Southerners during this time did not support federal civil rights laws, this left Johnson with no choice but to take the side of his state to get the votes he needed in his climb to political power.

Johnson participates in a joint-session with Congress advocating strongly for the Civil Rights legislation, mentioning the eulogy of J.F.K.’s presidency. Johnson’s aggressiveness with mentioning Kennedy’s power when he was president helped to push the legislation but there was still a lot of work to do. The House of Representatives wrote a “petition of discharge” trying to skip over the rules committee and what they had on their agenda. The rules committee which was headed by Howard W. Smith, was publicly supported. To avoid public embarrassment, Smith pushed the legislation through the rules committee himself.

Many people were brutally beaten and there were also some that lost their lives, because of it. Lyndon B Johnson begins his speech his by convincing his listener that he will flight for what is owed to the Negros. That is the equal right to vote regardless of your race. The speech “We Shall Overcome”, speech gets to the core of the problem within the Legislation itself. He wants to see that everyone will abide by the 15th Amendment that gives Negros the right and the privilege to vote without any recourse, without worrying