In the wake of the Civil War, America faced a new battle—not for territory, but for the soul of the republic. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 aimed to secure basic rights for newly freed African Americans, but President Andrew Johnson had other ideas. His veto of the bill ignited a fierce showdown with Congress, laying bare the deep rifts in post-war America. This article explores the Act’s introduction, Johnson’s controversial veto, the unprecedented congressional override, and the legacy that still echoes today. At Dave Does History, we dig into the clash that redefined Reconstruction—and the presidency itself.

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