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The Pros And Cons Of Andrew Johnson's Impeachment

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Andrew Johnson became the President of the United States after the assassination of President Lincoln. Johnson stepped into office after the Civil War, which was a fragile time for the country. As president after the war, it was Johnson’s duty to assist in unifying the southern slave states and the northern rebellious population, as one country. This was a difficult task to complete, especially after the assassination of a former president who really helped in the Civil War and with slavery. Johnson tried to quickly restore the states in the Union, however his actions lead to a presidential impeachment. Due to his violations and counterproductive acts, President Andrew Johnson deserved his impeachment. The decisions Andrew Johnson made and …show more content…

Johnson was vice president during Lincoln’s presidency, so after the death of Lincoln, Johnson was in line to become president. This differing view believes that his qualifications were justified because he had an experienced background in politics prior to his presidency. After the Civil War, he did not effect the issues of slavery with their freedom or rights and the Reconstruction of the South. This contrary view understands how Johnson did violate the Tenure of Office Act but they believe it to be okay because he only violated it once. As stated in the Articles of Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, he “did unlawfully, and in violation of the Constitution and laws of the United States, issue and order in writing for the removal of Edwin M. Stanton from the office of Secretary for the Department of War” (citation). This statement reveals how Johnson fired Edwin M. Stanton, who was his only secretary at the time, and replaced him. This is a violation of the law wether it happened once or more and a president should not have excuses when it comes to breaking the law. This contrasting view also believes it was reasonable because Johnson thought that if he did not fire him, it would have been unconstitutional. Later in history, Congress repealed the act which he broke. However, Congress repealed the act because they believed it to be unlawful and not

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Andrew Johnson was the first president in U.S. history to be impeached. He was a disliked by many people in the north because he favored the south and because of his pro-slavery views. After the Civil War, Johnson was stubbornly against any laws that would aid the slaves in any way or any laws that would penalize men that fought for the confederacy. Johnson didn’t get along very good with the congress. He vetoed many bills that the congress tried to pass.

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    One reason that reveals President Johnson’s principled motivation can be found in Doc A. L.B.J first job after college was being a teacher in Cotulla, Texas. He was teaching Mexican children who were poor but tried their best to learn and look nice for school. He wanted to teach this school of 5,6, and 7 graders because at the time there was poverty and segregation and was willing help even if

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One example that reveals President Johnson’s principal motivation can be found in (Doc A). In (Doc A) it states “That his first job after college was as a teacher in Cotulla, Tex., in a small Mexican-American school.” (Doc A) He also explains that he could see the pain of prejudice in their eyes and would buy them clothing, food and supplies because they could not afford them (Doc A). Therefore this evidence proves that his decision was principle because he cares for Mexican Americans and wanted them not to suffer and be segregated.

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The actions and words of Andrew Johnson were very contradictory. The cartoon states: "Treason is a crime and must be made odious, and traitors must be punished". He told the people of a reconstruction plan that was supposed to punish the confederate rebels. Johnson did the opposite by ordering many pardons The Northern Republicans in Congress were ostracized because he continually vetoed their attempts at reconstruction.

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Congress tried to override Johnson’s veto but failed. The second bill the moderates proposed was the Civil Rights Act of 1866. This bill basically got rid

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A few days after the civil War ended, President Lincoln was assassinated and never had the chance to implement his Reconstruction plan.   The Reconstruction Era occurred in the period of 1865 to 1877 under the reign of President Andrew Johnson who was the predecessor of President Lincoln.  Congress was not scheduled to convene until December 1865, which gave Johnson eight months to pursue his own Reconstruction policies. Under his Reconstruction policies, the former Confederate states were required to join back into the Union and heal the wounds of the nation.

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within six weeks of taking Office as Vice President Johnson succeeded to the presidency after Lincoln's assassination." Andrew Johnson became the first president to be impeached and his career was unsuccessful. the reason why Johnson was impeached was because

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Sandrew Johnson tried to stop the 14th Amendment from being passed by Congress. This amendment granted the blacks citizenship. Andrew Johnson tried to convince the Southern states not to ratify the amendment but they did anyway. Andrew Johnson was the only Southern Senator

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In conclusion, there is much evidence to support the idea that Andrew Jackson was a tyrant and vastly abused his power in presidency. Jackson was a cruel ruler for his actions, some including the Indian Removal Act, his overuse of vetoing, and his temper and personality. Overall he was just not right for the position of a political

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Primary sources are documents and artifacts that come directly from the past. For my primary source paper, I have selected to use the eleven Articles of Impeachment that were passed by Congress in 1868. This primary source is the main source that I use on my topic of President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trials. The eleven Articles of Impeachment are historical documents that were written with an agenda for a specific purpose and audience. As historians, it is essential that we analyze how the source was constructed, by who, where and when, for what purpose(s), and for which audience.

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“No man is above the law.” This phrase is believed to be a representation of the checks and balances of the United States Government. However, when one truly looks into it, is it really the case? A prime example of an executive official getting away with an illegal crime with no lockup time is exemplified by the Watergate Scandal. President Richard Nixon was elected on November 6, 1968 and a majority of people loved him, his campaign, and a majority of his goals for the country.

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Julius Caesar and Abraham Lincoln had heavy hearts and ethical ambitions, but their views on governing disagreed with many of their people. Their ideas of governing ultimately led to their assassinations, and the destruction of the foundation they built. Indirectly, their deaths took the hope of many deserving citizens and the chance for social equality in their countries. Julius Caesar was infamously assassinated for the benefit of Rome while Abraham Lincoln became a target of assassination out of egotistical beliefs towards America; their assassinations similarly caused distress to their hopeful citizens and a dent in the legacy they established for their people. In Caesar and Lincoln’s lives, they were respected and loved by many

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The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson Malik Muhammad On April 15, 1865 at Fords Theater President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Andrew Johnson was then elected as the 17th President. After Lincoln's death, Andrew Johnson proceeded to reconstruct the former Confederate States while Congress was not in session in 1865. When Congress met in December 1865 most Southern States were reconstructed, slavery was abolished, black codes were beginning to come out.

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He never really put much thought into his decisions except for the fact of was he going to be liked. This is the third and final most important reason on why he signing of the Civil Rights Act was based purely on politics. In conclusion, The Civil Rights Act was signed through politics and he did win the election of 1964. America did benefit greatly from the new laws creating equal opportunity for all who lived there. In his new term, Johnson created the Great Society which allowed many unprivileged children have equal footing for school.

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Johnson participates in a joint-session with Congress advocating strongly for the Civil Rights legislation, mentioning the eulogy of J.F.K.’s presidency. Johnson’s aggressiveness with mentioning Kennedy’s power when he was president helped to push the legislation but there was still a lot of work to do. The House of Representatives wrote a “petition of discharge” trying to skip over the rules committee and what they had on their agenda. The rules committee which was headed by Howard W. Smith, was publicly supported. To avoid public embarrassment, Smith pushed the legislation through the rules committee himself.

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