why was president andrew johnson impeached

why was president andrew johnson impeached

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President Andrew Johnson was impeached primarily because he violated the Tenure of Office Act by removing Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, without the Senate's approval. This Act was designed to restrict the president's power to remove certain officeholders without Congressional consent. Johnson's removal of Stanton, who was aligned with the Radical Republicans in Congress, ignited a conflict between the president and Congress. Additionally, Johnson was accused of defying Congressional Reconstruction policies, issuing pardons to former Confederates, and publicly opposing Radical Republicans' efforts to secure rights for freed slaves. His impeachment was therefore rooted in this political struggle and his attempts to obstruct Reconstruction efforts. He was formally impeached by the House on February 24, 1868, but was acquitted in the Senate by one vote and thus not removed from office.

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