Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

Definition

The impeachment of Andrew Johnson was a political process initiated in 1868 when the 17th President of the United States was charged with high crimes and misdemeanors, primarily related to his violation of the Tenure of Office Act. This event was significant in the context of the struggles between presidential authority and congressional power during the Reconstruction era, reflecting deep divisions in the government regarding the direction of Reconstruction policies and the treatment of Southern states.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Andrew Johnson became President after Lincoln's assassination and initially attempted to continue Lincoln's policies but quickly faced opposition from Congress.
2. The House of Representatives impeached Johnson by a vote of 226 to 47, marking one of the first instances of presidential impeachment in American history.
3. Johnson was acquitted by the Senate, falling just one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed for removal from office.
4. The impeachment highlighted the intense conflict between Johnson and the Radical Republicans, who sought to impose stricter Reconstruction measures on the Southern states.
5. The political ramifications of Johnson's impeachment set a precedent for future impeachments, influencing how Congress would handle executive authority and accountability.

Review Questions

• What were the main reasons behind the impeachment of Andrew Johnson and how did they reflect the political climate of his time?
  • The main reasons behind Andrew Johnson's impeachment included his violation of the Tenure of Office Act and his opposition to Radical Republican policies aimed at enforcing civil rights and restructuring Southern society after the Civil War. His leniency towards the South and attempts to undermine Congressional authority led to a major political clash, showcasing the deep divisions within government regarding how to handle Reconstruction. This conflict emphasized the struggle between presidential power and legislative authority during a critical period in American history.
• Analyze how Johnson's impeachment influenced the relationship between Congress and the presidency in terms of checks and balances.
  • Johnson's impeachment had a significant impact on the balance of power between Congress and the presidency. It demonstrated Congress's willingness to assert its authority over executive actions, particularly regarding issues like Reconstruction. Following his trial, Congress became more cautious about exercising its impeachment powers but also reaffirmed its role as a check on presidential authority. The event emphasized that while a president could wield considerable power, they were not above accountability, reinforcing the principles behind checks and balances established by the Constitution.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of Andrew Johnson's impeachment on American political culture and future presidencies.
  • The long-term consequences of Andrew Johnson's impeachment have been profound in shaping American political culture. It established a precedent for how Congress could challenge presidential actions deemed inappropriate or unlawful, influencing future impeachment processes, such as those involving Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. Additionally, it intensified debates over civil rights and federal authority that would continue into subsequent administrations, illustrating how struggles over power and governance can reverberate through history. The events surrounding his impeachment remind us that conflicts between differing political ideologies are integral to American democracy.

Related terms

Tenure of Office Act: A federal law that restricted the President's power to remove certain officeholders without the Senate's approval, which was a key factor in Johnson's impeachment.

Radical Republicans: A faction within the Republican Party that advocated for stringent Reconstruction measures and civil rights for freed slaves, opposing Johnson's more lenient approach.

Senate Trial: The process that followed Johnson's impeachment in the House of Representatives, where he was tried by the Senate to determine whether he should be removed from office.