High Crimes and Misdemeanors 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.
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.
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President Andrew Johnson (1865-1869).
Library of Congress
A ticket of admission to the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson on March 13, 1868.
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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. Lo
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The vote of the Senate during President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial. He became involved in a feud with the Republicans over his conciliatory policy to the defeated South, and they therefore impeached him. They failed to convict him by one vote.
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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.
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