17) ANDREW JOHNSON

President from 1865-69

Took on the role because he was Vice-President when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

Only escaped death because the assassin tasked with taking him out chose to get drunk instead..

Johnson, a native of North Carolina, was given the job of reconstructing the post-civil war South, and the extension of rights and suffrage to freed slaves.

Had no interest in forcing the Southern states to grant full equality to former slaves. This brought Johnson into conflict with the Republicans of the day who saw civil rights as important to spreading their influence in the South. Johnson saw himself as the prtector of the white race.

Issued pardons to any Southern rebels who would take an oath of allegiance.

The first American president to be impeached(by the House of Representatives). Kept his job by one vote. He was not nominated to run for a second term.