The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson was the 17th president of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. He succeeded Abraham Lincoln after his assassination and became the first president to be impeached by the US Congress. Johnson's impeachment was a highly controversial event, and it had significant implications for the presidency and the country as a whole.

Johnson's impeachment was primarily a result of his opposition to the Radical Republicans' Reconstruction policies. After the Civil War, the Radical Republicans sought to ensure that the newly freed slaves were protected and given full citizenship rights. Johnson, however, was a Southern Democrat who opposed many of the Radical Republicans' proposals.

Johnson's veto of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 was the final straw for the Radical Republicans. The act was designed to protect the newly freed slaves' civil rights, including their right to own property, make contracts, and access the courts. Johnson vetoed the bill, claiming that it was unconstitutional and violated states' rights.

The Radical Republicans responded by passing the Reconstruction Act of 1867, which removed the Southern states' autonomy and placed them under military rule. The act also required the Southern states to draft new constitutions that guaranteed civil rights to all citizens, regardless of race. Johnson opposed this act as well and attempted to block its implementation.

In response to Johnson's opposition to their policies, the Radical Republicans sought to impeach him. They accused him of violating the Tenure of Office Act, which had been passed in 1867. The act required the president to seek Senate approval before removing any federal officials from office. Johnson had removed Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton without Senate approval, leading to his impeachment.

The impeachment trial began on March 30, 1868, and lasted for several months. The House of Representatives served as the prosecution team, and Johnson's defense team consisted of his personal lawyers. The trial was highly contentious, and Johnson narrowly avoided being removed from office. The final vote in the Senate was 35 in favor of conviction and 19 against, one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to remove him from office.

Despite Johnson's acquittal, the impeachment trial had a significant impact on the presidency and the country as a whole. It established the principle that the president could be held accountable for his actions and that he was not above the law. It also highlighted the tensions between the executive and legislative branches of government and the importance of maintaining a balance of power between them.