1. Impeachment of
Andrew Johnson

2. According to the Constitution…
A President can be impeached for “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors”

3. Tenure of Office Act
The Radical Republicans wanted to protect Edwin Stanton, Johnson’s Secretary of War
The Tenure of Office Act said Johnson had to seek Congress’ approval to fire a Cabinet member
Johnson fired Stanton
Congress replaced him and Stanton locked himself in his office
Johnson fired him again

4. Did Johnson break the law?
Was Johnson impeached for a “high crime?”

5. Impeached?
Yes
He was formally accused by the House of Representatives.

6. Impartial Fair Unbiased Each Senator swore to be impartial
Each Senator swore to vote on the evidence presented
Each Senator swore to judge Johnson on whether he violated the “high crime” of the ToOA.

7. Edmund Ross The most important vote
Every other Senator announced how they would vote
Ross kept quiet
The Radical Republicans needed one more vote to convict Johnson

8. Kansas Wanted Ross to vote guilty
Sent Ross a telegram with 1001 signatures

9. Ross rose to vote…. Thaddeus Stevens had to be carried in
James Grimes was lying on a stretcher
Everyone was quiet as Ross rose

10. Not guilty I almost literally looked down into my open grave
Friendships
Position
Fortune
Everything that makes life desirable were swept away forever

11. Why did he
do it?

12. Save the USA Congress was abusing its 2/3 majority
Would assume too much power
Would overshadow the Presidency
Would “rip up” the Constitution

13. Thaddeus Stevens “The country is going to the devil.”
Was blamed for impeachment
Over time people forgot about the 14th and 15th amendments
Stevens almost overturned the Constitution