While Johnson was attempting to implement Presidential Reconstruction, many people were trying to resist full reintegration with the Union. A popular song emerged in the South during this time called, I'm a Good Ol' Rebel.

Listen to the song below.

→ Quick Reflection: What view on Reconstruction does this song reflect? Answer in your notes with specific reference to the song.

Since the Civil War, in many ways, was fought to maintain the subservient status of black citizens, Southern resistance focused on finding ways besides slavery to keep African Americans as second class citizens. While the song does not mention race, being a "good ol' rebel" to many meant the continued mistreatment of African Americans.

Johnson is Not Lincoln

President Johnson followed a similar Reconstruction program to Lincoln, and as a Tennessee resident and former Democrat, he was sympathetic to Southern efforts to restore "home rule" after the war. Even though he insisted on ending slavery, he did not support equal rights for African Americans. Many Republicans did not trust Johnson. A series of events showed the president either unwilling or unable to stop Southern resistance. These events undermined Presidential Reconstruction.

Examine three of those events below by clicking on the following tabs.