How did Andrew Johnson get started in politics?
Posted on Nov 19, 2025 / Celebs
Johnson’s political career started at the local level in Tennessee, where he ran for town offices while still working as a tailor. People liked that he spoke plainly and understood working-class struggles. Over time he moved up to the state legislature, then Congress, and eventually became governor of Tennessee. He gained national attention when he stayed loyal to the Union even though Tennessee seceded. That decision made him a key figure during the Civil War. Lincoln chose him as vice president partly to appeal to Southern Unionists. When Lincoln was assassinated, Johnson suddenly found himself president.
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