7-8. How did Johnson violate the Tenure of Office Act? How did the Radicals respond to his action?

Answer 1

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.