Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Andrew Johnson: The 17th President of the United States (1865-1869). He became president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, having served as Lincoln's vice president. His presidency was marked by conflicts with Congress over Reconstruction, leading to his impeachment by the House of Representatives. He was acquitted by the Senate by a single vote.
   • Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ): The 36th President of the United States (1963-1969). He assumed the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, having been Kennedy's vice president. His presidency is known for its ambitious domestic policy agenda termed the "Great Society" and for the significant escalation of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Usage Examples

• Referring to Andrew Johnson:

  • President Johnson faced immense challenges in reuniting the nation after the Civil War.
  • The impeachment trial of President Johnson was a pivotal moment in American political history.

• Referring to Lyndon B. Johnson:

  • President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law.
  • Many of President Johnson's "Great Society" programs, like Medicare, remain in effect today.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "President Johnson" often requires context to clarify which individual is meant, as it refers to two distinct historical figures. In academic or historical writing, the full name (Andrew Johnson or Lyndon B. Johnson) is typically used on first reference.
• "The Johnson treatment": An idiom referring to Lyndon B. Johnson's notoriously persuasive and intense interpersonal lobbying style.
  • The senator was subjected to the full "Johnson treatment" to secure his vote on the bill.

Variants and Related Words

• Johnsonian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of the policies, era, or style of either President Johnson. Context usually specifies which (e.g., for Andrew; for Lyndon).
• Presidency of Andrew Johnson / LBJ Presidency (n): The term and duration of their respective administrations.

Synonyms

• The 17th President: Andrew Johnson, Andrew.
• The 36th President: Lyndon B. Johnson, LBJ, Lyndon Johnson.

Related Phrases

• Johnson Administration: The executive branch and officials serving under either President Johnson.
  • The Johnson Administration pushed for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Related Idioms

• "Back to the Johnson days": A phrase sometimes used to refer nostalgically or critically to the political or social climate of the 1960s under Lyndon B. Johnson.
  • This level of federal social spending hasn't been seen since back in the Johnson days.

Noun

1. 17th President of the United States; was elected vice president and succeeded Lincoln when Lincoln was assassinated; was impeached but acquitted by one vote (1808-1875)
2. 36th President of the United States; was elected vice president and succeeded Kennedy when Kennedy was assassinated (1908-1973)