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Impeachment Trial of 1868

Impeachment Trial of 1868. Andrew Johnson. Civil War Stats and Facts. Preserve the Union Over 600,000 killed (equals 12- 14 million today) 4 million slaves freed Strengthened Federal Govt. Death of state’s rights. Andrew Johnson. Lifelong Democrat and slave owner.

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Impeachment Trial of 1868

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  1. Impeachment Trial of 1868 Andrew Johnson

  2. Civil War Stats and Facts Preserve the Union Over 600,000 killed (equals 12- 14 million today) 4 million slaves freed Strengthened Federal Govt. Death of state’s rights

  3. Andrew Johnson Lifelong Democrat and slave owner. Despised elite of Northeast and southern planters. Pro-Union—came to prominence when. . . as Senator, denounced secession as “treason.”

  4. Andrew Johnson Republicans nominated him for VP in 1864. Hoped to gain pro-war Democrat support. Promote wartime unity of Southern Unionists. Became Lincoln’s VP and eventually President.

  5. Reconstruction Theories—Theory 1 State sovereignty cannot be forfeited to federal govt. Task of federal govt. was to: Suppress insurrection Replace its leaders Opportunity for free govt. to re-emerge

  6. Reconstruction Theories—Theory 2 War was struggle between 2 govts. Southern territory was conquered land. Federal govt. rules territory how it pleases No internal borders—no right to statehood. Govt. admitted states under their own rules

  7. Johnson’s “Restoration” Plan Proponent of Theory 1 (lenient theory) Amnesty for Southerners only if they took oath of allegiance to the Constitution. NO high ranking Confederates or wealthy planters. Elite pardoned only by Johnson.

  8. Johnson’s “Restoration” Plan Restored state governors only if: Revoke their ordinances of secession. Repudiate their Confederate debts. Ratify 13th Amendment—abolishing slavery. Within months, all former Confederate states complied.

  9. Content for the Moment Republicans were happy. Moderates agreed—up to the states, not federal govt. to define rights of freedmen. Radicals held their fire Liked stern treatment of Confederate leaders. Hoped new southern govts. would treat slaves well. Radical Republican Thaddeus Stevens

  10. The Black Codes Legislatures reestablished slavery in disguise. Black Codes—remove rights of the freed. Drive former slaves back to plantations. New govts. Formed by southern Unionists. Not much different from Confederates. Confederates soon filtered back into power.

  11. Johnson’s Vetoes Freedmen’s Bureau Bill and Civil Rights Act. “This is a country for white men, and by God, as long as I am president, it shall be a govt. for white men.” Johnson vetoed both—Congress defeated vetoes. Congress passes First and Second Reconstruction Acts.

  12. Radical Reconstruction Republicans took charge—Johnson strongly opposed. Congress passed laws to limit President Enter . . . Tenure of Office Act Could not remove govt. officials without Senate approval.

  13. Andrew Johnson vs. Edwin Stanton August 1867, Johnson suspended Stanton: no approval Replaced with Ulysses S. Grant. Congress reconvened, overturned suspension Feb. 21, 1868, Johnson dismissed Stanton. Replaced with Lorenzo Thomas. Feb. 24, 1868, Impeachment Resolution adopted.

  14. Congress vs. Andrew Johnson Impeach: formally charge with wrongdoing. First time in history this happened! House approved 11 counts of misconduct. Sent to Senate for full trial.

  15. Chief Justice Key Figures Prosecuting Attorney Defense Attorney Salmon P. Chase Benjamin Butler Benjamin Curtis

  16. Prosecution—Benjamin Butler 3 hour opening argument. Dismissed argument that T.O.A. didn’t cover Stanton. Read parts of Johnson’s 1866 speeches. Basis of 10th article of impeachment. Referred to President as “accidental Chief.” Witness testimony actually helped the Defense.

  17. Defense—Benjamin Curtis Stanton was not covered by T.O.A. Term ended with Lincoln’s death. Not successful in removing Stanton (no violation of T.O.A.). Act deemed unconstitutional—infringed upon President’s powers. 10th article of impeachment violated 1st Amendment right to free speech.

  18. VERDICT Vote was 35-19 . . . One vote short of conviction. Many argued President should not be removed from office for political differences!

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