1. The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

2. Andrew Johnson Became Pres. Following Lincoln’s assassination
Democrat from Tennessee – sympathetic to southerners
Follows Lincoln’s lenient policies

3. Radical Republicans
Leaders of Congress who wanted revenge and punishment for southerners
Saw an opportunity to re-order southern society

4. Tenure of Office Act
Illegal to replace any official whose appointment had to be approved by the Senate without Senate’s approval
Violated when Johnson fires Sec. of War Edwin Stanton

5. Johnson Impeached by House of Representatives
Impeached = officially charged

6. Impeachment Trial Senate acts as jury
Chief Justice of Supreme Court acts as judge
Clinton, Nixon, Johnson

7. 2/3 majority needed for conviction
1n 1868, there were 54 Senators (27 states)
36 guilty votes needed
42 Republicans
12 Democrats

8. Predetermined?
Most senators had voiced their opinion before the trial was even held. All 12 Democrats and 6 Republicans would vote Not Guilty
1 more not guilty vote needed for acquittal
Edmund G. Ross

9. Edmund G. Ross Freshman Senator from Kansas
Conscience or Constituents?
Integrity of the Presidency?

10. Political Suicide
None of the 7 Republicans who voted not guilty were ever re-elected to the Senate