Who Gets to Let States Back into the Union Assignment

Who Gets to Let States Back into the Union - Assignment Example Later, Andrew Johnson, a ‘paragon’ of the Southern Unionism, was appointed the military governor of Tennessee by the President, Abraham Lincoln (Para 3). Johnson after being granted control of Tennessee started working for the assimilation of Tennessee with the Union by organizing a civil government based on the principles laid down in the constitution of the United States of America. He stunned his constituents by siding with the Republicans who favored oppressive Reconstruction for the South. Johnson took aggressive and stern action against those not willing to show allegiance to the Union by going to the extent of declaring execution of mutineers. He was very hard with the secessionist powers, and declared, â€Å"Treason must be made odious, and traitors must be punished.† (Para 4) He was firm in his belief that loyal Tennesseans would become role-models for Confederates to embrace the Union but he lacked the diplomacy of Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln presented in December 1863 the â€Å"Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction† plan, popularly named the 10 percent plan (Para 6). As per the plan, 10 percent of the population would take the oath of allegiance to the Union and government could be organized. Johnson wanted the â€Å"tall poppies† to fall down; he was least worried about the threats from cavalry leaders and citizens (Para 6). Johnson was severe in dealing with the Confederates and Unionists to swear that they â€Å"desire[d] the suppression of the present insurrection† (Para 6). After Johnson became the Vice-President, William Brownlow became the Governor but as the things turned out after the assassination of Lincoln, Johnson became the President. His partial attitude towards white men became the reason for starting an ideological struggle in the White House for Reconstruction.