Download President Johnson`s Impeachment fun facts… - d

President Johnson’s Impeachment fun facts…
Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson
Johnson was not opposed to slavery, but was devoted to the United States more than the slavery issue.
He was the only Senator from Tennessee that stayed loyal to the Union during Civil War.
He supported black male suffrage, and Radical Republicans liked him because he supported the
movement to hang confederate leaders. As president, he did not follow through, and proved to be
lenient with the leaders of the rebellion as well.
Johnson wanted to be lenient (easy) towards the southern states, similar to Pres. Lincoln. He wanted
them to come back into the Union quickly. In fact, he allowed many southern states to elect members
to the House of Reps. But the House refused to admitted them.
Johnson vetoes civil rights bills and wants to let the southern states back into Union easily. He cancelled
the Freedmen’s Bureau
Led by Thaddeus Stevens and Ben Butler to remove Johnson
Based upon Johnsons ignoring the Tenure of office act (March, 1867) and the Commander of the Army
Act 1867
Tenure of Office Act---President could not remove or dismiss officeholders approved by the Senate
without their permission
Johnson wanted to dismiss Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War
Commander of the Army Act---President could issue orders only through the general in charge of the
army
Chief Justice of Supreme Court Salmon Chas sat in judgment
Johnson was 1st president to be impeached…He chose not to attend the trial, which took place in the
packed US Senate chambers
Johnson is acquitted by one vote short of a 2/3 majority. He ran as an independent in the Nov., 1868
election and lost to Republican Ulysses S. Grant
In 1875, Johnson re-enters public life as a US Senator. He dies the same year.
Speaker of House Benjamin Wade was next in line for the Presidency
Judge
Chronology
1|Page
President Johnson’s Impeachment fun facts…
1864
Johnson is selected as Lincoln's running mate in an effort to balance the Union ticket.
March 4, 1865 Johnson is inaugurated as Vice President.
April 15, 1865
Following Lincoln's assassination, Johnson succeeds to the Presidency, just days after
the end of the Civil war.
December,
1865
When the Congress reconvenes (for the first time since Lincoln's death),
the Republicans refuse to seat congressmen from rebel states.
1866
Throughout the year, Johnson's power and influence decline. The popular vote is
clearly in support of the Radical Republican method of reconstruction.
Washington's
Birthday
1866
Johnson makes a speech denouncing two of the leading radical republicans, Senator
Charles Sumner and Representative Thaddeus Stevens. In the speech he refers to the
Republicans as "disunionists."
February, 1866 Johnson vetoes the Freedmen's Bureau Bill (which is later passed over his veto).
April, 1866
Johnson vetoes the Civil Rights Bill (which was also passed over his veto).
May, 1866
Race riot in Memphis.
July 30, 1866
Race riot in New Orleans.
Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act prohibiting the President from dismissing
any officer confirmed by the Senate without Senate approval. The Act is intended
February, 1867
primarily to keep Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War, in his post. Stanton, a holdover
from the Lincoln cabinet is sympathetic to the causes of the Radical Republicans.
March, 1867
The Radical Republicans effect their own plan of reconstruction, again placing
the southern states under military rule.
August 12,
1867
With the Congress not is session, Johnson temporarily suspends Secretary of War
Edwin M. Stanton, and replaces him with war hero Ulysses S. Grant.
January, 1868
On January 13, the Senate refuses to concur in the suspension of Edwin Stanton by a
vote of 35 to 16. Grant returns his office to Stanton. The President then formally
dismisses Stanton as Secretary of War and replaces him with Lorenzo Thomas.
February 24,
Accusing Johnson of violating the tenure of Office Act, the House approves an
2|Page
President Johnson’s Impeachment fun facts…
1868
impeachment resolution by a vote of 126-47.
March 30, 1868 The impeachment trial of Johnson begins in the Senate.
May 16, 1868
The Senate votes on the 11th Article of Impeachment and is one vote short of the 2/3
majority needed to impeach the President. Edmund Ross from Kansas was the vote
that
May 26, 1868
Another vote is taken in the Senate on the 2nd and 3rd Articles of Impeachment and
Johnson is again acquitted. The trial is over.
March 4, 1869 Johnson leaves office after finishing the remainder of his term as President.
July 31, 1875
Johnson dies at his daughter's house after suffering a stroke.
1887
The Tenure of Office Act is repealed at the urging of President Grover Cleveland.
3|Page