key term - Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

Definition

The impeachment of Andrew Johnson was a significant political event that occurred in 1868, where the 17th President of the United States was impeached by the House of Representatives for violating the Tenure of Office Act. This event highlights the struggles between the presidency and Congress during the Reconstruction era, as it demonstrated the limitations and checks on presidential power, as well as the intense conflicts between the executive and legislative branches.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Andrew Johnson was impeached primarily for his violation of the Tenure of Office Act when he attempted to remove Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War, from his position.
2. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Johnson with a majority of 126 votes in favor and 47 against, making it one of the most significant impeachments in U.S. history.
3. The Senate trial lasted from March to May 1868, ultimately resulting in Johnson's acquittal by just one vote, as he remained in office after failing to reach the two-thirds majority needed for conviction.
4. Johnson's impeachment highlighted the deep divisions within American politics during Reconstruction, particularly between moderates and radical factions within the Republican Party.
5. This event set a precedent for future impeachment proceedings, emphasizing the complex relationship between presidential powers and congressional oversight.

Review Questions

• How did Andrew Johnson's impeachment reflect the tension between presidential authority and congressional power during Reconstruction?
  • Andrew Johnson's impeachment illustrated the intense conflict between his executive authority and congressional power as Congress sought to assert control over Reconstruction policies. The Radical Republicans aimed to limit Johnson's influence due to his lenient approach towards the South, leading them to pass the Tenure of Office Act to restrict his ability to remove officials. Johnson's subsequent defiance by attempting to dismiss Edwin M. Stanton directly challenged congressional authority, culminating in his impeachment.
• Discuss the implications of the Senate's decision to acquit Andrew Johnson following his impeachment trial.
  • The Senate's decision to acquit Andrew Johnson by just one vote had profound implications for presidential power and future impeachments. It established a standard that impeachment should not be pursued lightly and required clear evidence of wrongdoing to justify removal from office. This acquittal allowed Johnson to continue serving his term and reinforced executive independence while signaling that Congress could face significant challenges in exerting its will over a sitting president.
• Evaluate how the impeachment of Andrew Johnson influenced later perceptions and applications of impeachment in American political history.
  • The impeachment of Andrew Johnson shaped future perceptions of impeachment as a political tool rather than solely a legal mechanism for addressing misconduct. His acquittal raised questions about what constitutes 'high crimes and misdemeanors' and emphasized that political motives could play a role in such proceedings. This event created a complex legacy for subsequent impeachments, influencing how future presidents navigated their relationships with Congress while also highlighting the potential risks of political polarization in using impeachment as a weapon.

Related terms

Tenure of Office Act:

A federal law enacted in 1867 that restricted the president's power to remove certain officeholders without the Senate's approval.

Radical Republicans: A faction within the Republican Party during the Reconstruction era that advocated for harsh measures against the Southern states and strong protections for the rights of freed slaves.

Senate Trial: The process by which the Senate conducts a trial to determine whether a president should be removed from office following impeachment by the House.