Why did Republicans in Congress attempt to impeach President Andrew Johnson?
a. They disagreed over plans for Reconstruction
b. They opposed the Fifteenth Amendment, but he supported it
c. They believed Johnson was guilty of taking bribes
d. They disagreed over the election of President Grant
a. They disagreed over plans for Reconstruction
The correct answer is a. They disagreed over plans for Reconstruction.
To arrive at this answer, one can study the historical context surrounding President Andrew Johnson and the events that led to his impeachment. Here's a breakdown of the factors that led to the attempted impeachment:
1. Reconstruction Plans: After the American Civil War, President Johnson faced a major challenge of reconstructing the Southern states that had seceded. His approach, known as "Presidential Reconstruction," was seen by many Republicans in Congress as being too lenient towards the South. They wanted a more radical approach to ensuring civil rights for newly freed African Americans and ensuring punishment for the Southern states that had rebelled against the Union.
2. Clash with Radical Republicans: The Radical Republicans, a faction within the Republican Party, strongly disagreed with Johnson's Reconstruction policies. They believed that he was undermining the rights of African Americans and allowing former Confederate leaders to regain power. Additionally, Johnson vetoed several bills passed by Congress that aimed to protect the interests of the newly freed African Americans.
3. Tenure of Office Act: In 1867, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act, which required the president to obtain Senate approval before removing certain officeholders. This act was specifically aimed at limiting Johnson's power to dismiss officials who disagreed with his policies. Johnson believed this act was unconstitutional and violated the separation of powers.
4. Removal of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton: In February 1868, Johnson removed Edwin Stanton, his Secretary of War, without seeking Senate approval. This move violated the Tenure of Office Act and directly provoked the impeachment process. Johnson had already been at odds with Stanton, who was a key ally of the Radical Republicans and supported their approach to Reconstruction.
In summary, the attempted impeachment of President Andrew Johnson was primarily driven by the deep divide between the President and the Radical Republicans over the plans for Reconstruction. The Republican Congress believed that Johnson was obstructing their efforts and undermining the civil rights of newly freed African Americans. It is important to note that while Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives, he narrowly avoided conviction and removal from office by the Senate.