How did Andrew Johnson rise to power?

How did Andrew Johnson rise to power?

• A. After Lincoln's assassination
• B. By winning a popular majority in 1864
• C. Through a military coup
• D. By seizing the presidency from the Vice President

Answer: (A)

The rise to power comes from constitutional succession after the President dies. When Lincoln was assassinated, the Vice President steps into the presidency by the Constitution. Andrew Johnson held the vice presidency and thus became President in 1865 by this automatic transfer, not by winning an election, a military move, or seizing the office. The other scenarios don’t fit because there’s no mechanism for a president to ascend via a popular vote after the fact, there was no coup, and Johnson wasn’t taking power from a different officeholder—the role he already held (the Vice Presidency) simply changed hands to the presidency.

The rise to power comes from constitutional succession after the President dies. When Lincoln was assassinated, the Vice President steps into the presidency by the Constitution. Andrew Johnson held the vice presidency and thus became President in 1865 by this automatic transfer, not by winning an election, a military move, or seizing the office. The other scenarios don’t fit because there’s no mechanism for a president to ascend via a popular vote after the fact, there was no coup, and Johnson wasn’t taking power from a different officeholder—the role he already held (the Vice Presidency) simply changed hands to the presidency.