Johnson, who regarded himself as defending the Constitution against radical assaults, was stubborn, irascible, and undignified, and with his associates was no match in political strategy for his radical opponents.
The average Republican or Unionist in the North, if he had not been brought by skillful misrepresentation to believe a new rebellion impending in the South, was at any rate painfully alive to the fear that the Democratic party might regain power.

With the freeing of the slaves, the representation of the South in Congress would be increased.

At first it seemed that the South might divide in politics as before the war, but the longer the delay the more the Southern whites tended to unite into one party acting with the Democrats.

With their eighty-five representatives and a slight reaction in the North, they might gain control of the lower House of Congress.

The Union-Republican party had a majority of less than one hundred in 1866, and this was lessened slightly in the Fortieth Congress.