The impeachment of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, stands as a significant event in American history. Taking place in 1868, this dramatic episode arose from Johnson’s controversial approach to Reconstruction and his violation of the Tenure of Office Act. This clash between the executive and legislative branches of government highlighted the turbulent post-Civil War era and set a precedent for the limits of presidential power.
The Tenure of Office Act
At the heart of Johnson’s impeachment was the Tenure of Office Act, a law passed by Congress in 1867 over Johnson’s veto. The Act was designed to restrict the power of the President to remove certain officeholders without the Senate’s approval. Specifically, it required the President to seek Senate consent before removing any officials who had been appointed with Senate approval.
Andrew Johnson, who ascended to the presidency following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, sought a lenient approach toward the Southern states that had seceded during the Civil War. His policies aimed to quickly reintegrate these states into the Union with minimal changes to their pre-war systems. This approach put him at odds with the Radical Republicans in Congress, who sought to enforce more stringent measures to protect the rights of newly freed African Americans and to restructure Southern society fundamentally.
The conflict reached a boiling point when Johnson attempted to remove Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War, from his position. Stanton was a staunch ally of the Radical Republicans and a key figure in implementing their Reconstruction policies. By dismissing Stanton and appointing Lorenzo Thomas in his place without Senate approval, Johnson directly challenged the Tenure of Office Act.
Impeachment Process
In response to Johnson’s actions, the House of Representatives initiated impeachment proceedings. On February 24, 1868, the House passed a resolution to impeach Johnson, primarily citing his violation of the Tenure of Office Act. The articles of impeachment also included charges related to Johnson’s speeches, which were deemed to bring disgrace and ridicule upon Congress, and his alleged attempts to undermine the authority of Congress regarding Reconstruction.
The impeachment trial began in the Senate on March 5, 1868. Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase presided over the trial, and the Senate chamber was transformed into a courtroom where both sides presented their arguments. The trial captivated the nation, with widespread public and media interest.
Outcome
The trial’s climax came on May 16, 1868, when the Senate voted on the first article of impeachment. Johnson narrowly avoided removal from office, as the Senate fell one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict him. The final tally was 35 guilty votes to 19 not guilty votes. Ten days later, the Senate voted on two more articles of impeachment, with the same result: one vote short of conviction.
Johnson completed his term in office, but his presidency was severely weakened. He had lost much of his political influence and was largely ineffective for the remainder of his time in the White House. Johnson’s impeachment highlighted the profound divisions within the government and the nation during the Reconstruction era.
The impeachment of Andrew Johnson was a landmark event that underscored the tension between the executive and legislative branches during a critical period in American history. It demonstrated the complexities and challenges of rebuilding the nation after the Civil War and the fierce political battles over the direction of Reconstruction. While Johnson survived the impeachment trial, the episode left a lasting legacy on the American political landscape and the limits of presidential power.