A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 6, part 2: Andrew Johnson

This volume gathers the official messages, speeches, and papers of Andrew Johnson, the sixteenth president who stepped into office at the close of the Civil War. Listeners will hear the same words that shaped his early attempts at Reconstruction, his battles with Congress over civil‑rights legislation, and his reflections on the nation’s hopes and divisions. The collection also offers glimpses of his personal journey—from a self‑educated tailor in the frontier South to a fiery orator whose ideas on voting rights and homestead reform sparked fierce debate.

Beyond the political rhetoric, the documents reveal Johnson’s pragmatic mindset and the complexities of governing a fractured country. By hearing his letters to Congress, veto statements, and public addresses, listeners gain a nuanced portrait of a leader caught between Union loyalty and the era’s contentious social issues. The compilation provides a vivid, unfiltered window into a pivotal chapter of American history.