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Primary sourceDocument1866

Proclamation 157

Andrew Johnson · 1866

A presidential proclamation by Andrew Johnson formally declaring the Civil War over throughout the entire United States, including Texas.

Johnson issued this proclamation as President, formally ending the Civil War nationwide.

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About this source

What it is

This is a formal proclamation issued by President Andrew Johnson in August 1866, declaring that the rebellion was entirely at an end, including in Texas, the last state still covered by the earlier wartime proclamations.

Why it matters

This document marks the official legal end of the Civil War across the whole country. It reflects Johnson's Reconstruction approach of restoring the Union swiftly and his authority as President to make such sweeping legal declarations.

Look closer

  • Why was it necessary to make a separate declaration for Texas?
  • What does the language of the proclamation suggest about how formal and careful such declarations needed to be?
  • How might people living in the South have reacted to this announcement?

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