Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, played a significant role in shaping Black history during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. Johnson, who became president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865, had a tumultuous relationship with the Republican-led Congress over issues related to the rights and freedoms of formerly enslaved African Americans.

Johnson's Reconstruction policies were lenient towards the former Confederate states and did not prioritize protecting the rights of newly freed Black Americans. He issued pardons to many former Confederates and allowed them to regain political power, leading to the passage of restrictive "Black Codes" that aimed to control and exploit the labor of Black people.

In response to Johnson's policies, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 14th Amendment to the Constitution to secure equal rights for all citizens, including African Americans. Johnson opposed these measures and vetoed the Civil Rights Act, but Congress overrode his veto.

The conflict between Johnson and Congress ultimately led to his impeachment in 1868, making him the first president to be impeached. Although he was acquitted by the Senate and remained in office, his reputation was tarnished, and he was seen as an obstacle to progress in securing rights for Black Americans during Reconstruction.

Overall, Andrew Johnson's presidency and policies had a lasting impact on Black history by highlighting the struggle for equality and civil rights in the aftermath of slavery and the Civil War.