Veto of the Military Reconstruction Act

Military Reconstruction Act

1. Johnson felt the Military Reconstruction Act was an "unconstitutional extension of federal power into areas of state jurisdiction."

2. Johnson felt that despotism would occur when the army had authority over elected civil officials.

3. Johnson felt that the Civil War had proven that the Union was indivisible, and that the Military Reconstruction Act was treating the southern states as though they were conquered territories.