7-8. How did Johnson violate the Tenure of Office Act? How did the Radicals respond to his action?
Andrew Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to remove Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War, from his position without Senate approval. This act, passed by Congress in 1867, required Senate approval to dismiss any federal officeholder whose appointment required Senate consent.
Johnson's actions were part of his larger conflict with the Radical Republicans in Congress who sought to impose harsher punishments on the South following the Civil War. Johnson had consistently clashed with Congress over Reconstruction policies and sought to undermine their efforts. By attempting to remove Stanton without Senate approval, he was directly challenging the authority and power of Congress.
The Radicals responded to Johnson's action by initiating impeachment proceedings against him. They argued that his actions violated the Tenure of Office Act and accused him of other high crimes and misdemeanors. The House of Representatives impeached Johnson in 1868, making him the first president in American history to face impeachment. The Senate later acquitted him in the impeachment trial, falling short of the required two-thirds majority needed to remove him from office. However, the impeachment proceedings further strained the already tense relationship between Johnson and the Radical Republicans.
To understand how Andrew Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act and how the Radicals responded, let's break it down step by step.
Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the Tenure of Office Act
The Tenure of Office Act was passed by Congress in 1867 and restricted the president's powers to remove certain officeholders without Senate approval. It specifically aimed to protect key officials, including Cabinet members, which Johnson clashes with.
Step 2: Research Johnson's actions
Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, clashed with Congress over Reconstruction policies after the Civil War. Johnson attempted to remove Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War, without Senate approval. This act was a direct violation of the Tenure of Office Act.
Step 3: Understand the Radicals' response
The Radicals, a group of lawmakers within the Republican Party who were fervently pushing for more radical Reconstruction measures, responded strongly to Johnson's violation of the Tenure of Office Act. They saw it as an opportunity to impeach Johnson and curb his power. They accused him of "high crimes and misdemeanors" and pushed for impeachment proceedings.
Step 4: Review the impeachment process
The impeachment process, outlined in the Constitution, allows Congress to remove a sitting president or other federal officials from office for "high crimes and misdemeanors." The process involves voting for articles of impeachment in the House of Representatives, followed by a trial in the Senate.
Step 5: Explore the impeachment of Andrew Johnson
The Radicals successfully impeached Johnson in the House of Representatives, charging him with violating the Tenure of Office Act and other allegations. However, Johnson narrowly avoided conviction in the Senate by a single vote. Although he wasn't removed from office, the impeachment proceedings weakened his political power and diminished his ability to interfere with Reconstruction policies.
In conclusion, Andrew Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to remove the Secretary of War without Senate approval. In response, the Radicals used this as an opportunity to impeach him, leading to a trial in the Senate where he narrowly avoided removal from office.
Step 1: Understanding the Tenure of Office Act
The Tenure of Office Act was enacted by the United States Congress in 1867. It was designed to limit the power of the President to remove certain officeholders, specifically those who were appointed with Senate approval. Under this act, the President needed Senate approval to remove individuals from certain positions.
Step 2: How did Johnson violate the Tenure of Office Act?
President Andrew Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act when he attempted to remove Edwin M. Stanton from his position as Secretary of War in February 1868. Johnson believed that the Tenure of Office Act was unconstitutional and that he had the authority to remove Stanton without Senate approval.
Step 3: The response of the Radicals
The Radicals, who were a faction of the Republican Party, strongly disagreed with Johnson's action. They viewed his attempt to remove Stanton as a violation of the law and an abuse of power. In response, the Radicals in Congress initiated impeachment proceedings against President Johnson. They argued that his violation of the Tenure of Office Act was part of a larger pattern of behavior that warranted his removal from office.
Step 4: Impeachment of President Johnson
The House of Representatives voted to impeach President Johnson in February 1868, charging him with high crimes and misdemeanors. However, the impeachment process did not result in his removal from office, as the Senate failed to reach the necessary two-thirds majority vote to convict him.
In summary, President Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to remove Secretary of War Stanton without Senate approval. The Radicals in Congress responded by initiating impeachment proceedings against Johnson, believing that his action was unconstitutional and an abuse of power. Despite being impeached, Johnson was not removed from office.