Throughout his political career Andrew Johnson was a strong supporter of states’ rights, rendering it somewhat surprising that, as a U.S. senator from Tennessee, he did not resign his seat and join with the South at the outbreak of the Civil War. A defender of the Union, he instead became the reelected Lincoln’s vice president. Nevertheless, in his First Annual Message to Congress Johnson made clear his desire to rein in the powers of the federal government over the states. After the Civil War ended and Lincoln was assassinated, Johnson was faced with how to handle the rebellious South. Johnson had initiated Reconstruction with a view toward reconciliation, not vengeance.