Question

Radical reconstruction
Which of the following were actions that motivated radical republicans to seek the impeachment of president johnson

Answer 1

Radical Republicans sought the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson due to several actions and policies that they viewed as obstructive to their Reconstruction efforts. Key motivations included:

1. **Opposition to Reconstruction Policies**: Johnson’s lenient approach to the Southern states and his willingness to restore power to former Confederates angered Radical Republicans who wanted a more stringent approach to Reconstruction.

2. **Vetoing Legislation**: Johnson vetoed key pieces of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of freedmen, including the Freedmen's Bureau Bill and the Civil Rights Act of 1866. His vetoes were seen as direct challenges to the authority of Congress.

3. **Violation of the Tenure of Office Act**: Johnson’s dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton in 1868, which was viewed as a violation of the Tenure of Office Act (a law passed by Congress to limit the president's power to remove officeholders without Senate approval), was a critical factor leading to his impeachment.

4. **Political Conflicts and Partisanship**: The deep political divide between Johnson and the Radical Republicans created a context of conflict. His attempts to undermine Republican influence and re-establish Democratic control in the South further fueled the desire for his removal.

5. **Restoration of Southern Rights**: Johnson's policies, which included quickly restoring political rights to Southern whites and undermining the protections for freed slaves, were actions that led the Radical Republicans to believe that he was counterproductive to their goals.

These factors contributed to the Radical Republicans' decision to pursue impeachment as a way to remove Johnson from office and ensure their Reconstruction agenda was implemented without obstruction.