Impeachment Of President Johnson

1868 Presidential Elections

President Johnson constantly clashed with Congress, which wished to impose a significantly more radical version of reconstruction on the South. Finally, the radicals in Congress decided to try to impeach and indict Andrew Johnson.

The impeachment vote passed in the House. The Senate voted 35 for and 19 against conviction; one vote short of the needed 2/3rds majority.

In 1867, Congress passed the "Tenure Act." Under this act the President was forbidden to remove certain public officials without the consent of the Congress. In the beginning of February, President Johnson removed Secretary of War Stanton from office. Johnson felt that Stanton, who was a radical Republican, was undermining the policies of the president.

In response to Johnson's actions, on February 24th, the House voted 126-47 to impeach President Johnson, for "high crimes and misdemeanors." The senate allowed Johnson only 10 days to prepare his defense.

On May 16th, the first of the articles of impeachment came to a vote. The Senate vote was 35-19; one vote short of the two thirds needed for a conviction.

Seven Republican senators joined the Democrats in voting for Johnson's acquittal.