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High Crimes And Misdemeanors : Throughline When Andrew Johnson became president in 1865, the United States was in the middle of one of its most volatile chapters. The country was divided after fighting a bloody civil war and had just experienced the first presidential assassination. We look at how these factors led to the first presidential impeachment in American history.

Throughline

High Crimes And Misdemeanors

High Crimes And Misdemeanors

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  • The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in the Senate on March 13, 1868. The House approved 11 articles of impeachment against Andrew Johnson. After a 74-day Senate trial, the Senate acquitted Johnson on three of the articles by a one-vote margin each and decided not to vote on the remaining articles.
    The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in the Senate on March 13, 1868. The House approved 11 articles of impeachment against Andrew Johnson. After a 74-day Senate trial, the Senate acquitted Johnson on three of the articles by a one-vote margin each and decided not to vote on the remaining articles.
    Library of Congress/Getty Images
  • President Andrew Johnson (1865-1869).
    President Andrew Johnson (1865-1869).
    Library of Congress
  • A ticket of admission to the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson on March 13, 1868.
    A ticket of admission to the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson on March 13, 1868.
    Library of Congress/Getty Images
  • The Johnson Impeachment Committee produced the charges that eventually became the eleven articles of impeachment against President Johnson. Most of the articles centered on the president's alleged violation of the Tenure of Office Act. Left to right, seated: Benjamin F. Butler, Thaddeus Stevens, Thomas Williams, John A. Bingham. Standing: James F. Wilson, George S. Boutwell, John A. Logan.
    The Johnson Impeachment Committee produced the charges that eventually became the eleven articles of impeachment against President Johnson. Most of the articles centered on the president's alleged violation of the Tenure of Office Act. Left to right, seated: Benjamin F. Butler, Thaddeus Stevens, Thomas Williams, John A. Bingham. Standing: James F. Wilson, George S. Boutwell, John A. Logan.
    The New York Public Library
  • The vote of the Senate during President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial. He was impeached following multiple clashes with congressional Republicans over conflicting ideas about reconstruction of the defeated South. They failed to convict him by one vote.
    The vote of the Senate during President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial. He was impeached following multiple clashes with congressional Republicans over conflicting ideas about reconstruction of the defeated South. They failed to convict him by one vote.
    Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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When Andrew Johnson became president in 1865, the United States was in the midst of one of its most volatile chapters. The country was divided after fighting a bloody civil war and had just experienced the first presidential assassination. We look at how these factors led to the first ever presidential impeachment in American history.

If you would like to read more about the impeachment and Andrew Johnson:

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Correction Feb. 28, 2019

In an earlier summary of this episode that appeared on the homepage, we incorrectly stated that Andrew Johnson was removed from office. He was not. Johnson was impeached by the House but not convicted by the Senate.