The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

 

Andrew Johnson took over as president after Lincoln’s assassination

 

Johnson was:

     a supporter of Lincoln’s administration

     a southern Democrat (Tennessee)

     a believer in white supremacy

     a strict constructionist

 

Johnson attempted to obstruct the Radical Republican plan for Reconstruction, within his powers as president

 

Johnson dismissed pro-Radical office holders from the federal government

 

Congress attempted to limit Johnson and expand their own authority by passing laws such as:

 

The TENURE OF OFFICE ACT

 

 

this act required the Senate’s approval for a president to dismiss any cabinet member that was approved by the Senate

 

Does this violate the separation of powers?

 

Is this act Constitutional?

 

In January 1868, Johnson tried to discharge Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (a favorite of the radicals in Congress)

 

February 24 the House voted to impeach President Johnson on the grounds that he violated the Tenure of Office Act

 

Johnson’s main defense was that:

      the Tenure of Office Act was

           unConstitutional

     Lincoln appointed Stanton and therefore

           the Tenure of Office Act did not apply

 

In the Senate, 7 Republicans voted against impeachment which resulted in Johnson’s acquittal by one vote

Those Senators believed that impeaching a president for political reasons would upset and or destroy the balance of powers beyween president and Congress

 

Effects of the Impeachment trial:

     Radical Reconstruction would continue as

           planned

     Presidency was weakened and Congress

           dominated the national government