Political Parties - The Golden Age of the GOP | 4

American History Tellers

Wondery

Society & Culture, Kids & Family, History, Education For Kids

4.7 • 18.3K Ratings

🗓️ 12 December 2018

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

As the Civil War came to a close, the government set its sights once again on the future of the United States. Working closely with a Republican President, the Republican Congress expected a swift and peaceful road to Reconstruction. But then, a mere four weeks into his second term, Lincoln was assassinated, leaving the country in the hands of Andrew Johnson, a Southern Democrat who had personally owned slaves just three years before.

While Johnson’s unwavering commitment to states rights cultivated a fraught relationship with his Congress, the tumult would ultimately be short-lived. After just four years of a Democratic president, America’s Grand Old Party would ascend to power—and hold it—for over 70 years.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, prime members, you can listen to American History Tellers add free on Amazon Music,
0:05.6	download the app today.
0:09.4	Imagine it's March 4th, 1865.
0:21.2	You're the Vice President of the United States, and it's your last day in office.
0:25.9	You're seated at the front of the Senate Chamber, which is packed with lawmakers and spectators.
0:31.4	President Abraham Lincoln was reelected to a second term in November, but you weren't
0:35.5	on the ballot with him.
0:37.2	Your last act as Vice President is to swear in the new Vice President, Andrew Johnson.
0:43.1	Afterwards Johnson will swear in the newly elected Senators.
0:47.0	Next to you, a new Senate clerk is fanning himself.
0:49.6	Not enough?
0:51.0	I expected Washington City to be warmer than Minneapolis, but good Lord, not this bad.
0:56.7	Yes, there's a lot of hot air in this place. I can tell you that.
0:59.8	How long do you expect the ceremony of the last?
1:02.2	I guess that all depends on Andy Johnson, whether he decides to preach at us today.
1:07.1	Johnson is expected to give a customary inaugural dress before he's swearing in.
1:11.8	I heard Johnson's bid under the weather.
1:13.7	Yeah, he says it's a fever.
1:15.5	When you saw how he was at the inaugural ball last night,
1:19.2	deep in his Tennessee whiskey, I'd be sick today too if I drank that much.
1:23.9	He was in my office earlier this morning, asking for something to brace himself,
1:28.7	as if he needed another.
	...

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