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Name ________________________________________

Andrew Johnsons Impeachment

Andrew Johnson

Vice President Johnson had assumed office after John Wilkes Booth
assassinated Abraham Lincoln, on April 15, 1865. He was a Union man, but
his roots were in the South (from Tennessee). "This is a country for white
men," he had reportedly declared, "and as long as I am president, it shall be a
government for white men." Johnson had failed to win favor with the Radical
Republicans, who wanted to secure the rights of freedmen. One way they
tried to do so was by passing the Reconstruction Acts, laws that provided
voting rights to freed slaves and prevented former Southern rebels from
regaining control of the state governments.

Believing the Acts to be wrong and unconstitutional, Johnson repeatedly blocked their
enforcement. Instead, he gave pardons to ex-rebels and tried to prevent military commanders'
efforts to block the rise of Southern leaders to power. In frequent speeches and interviews,
Johnson publicly expressed his defiance of (and disagreement with) the Radical Republicans.
They knew that their program for reconstruction of the South could not fully succeed with
Andrew Johnson in office.
The final blow came after the passage of the Tenure of Office Act in 1867. This law made it
impossible for the president to dismiss (fire) important government officials without the
permission of the Senate. In a move than infuriated Congressmen, Johnson defied the act.
The president had long wanted to dismiss the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. Stanton was
the only member of Johnson's cabinet who supported the Radical Republicans' program for
reconstruction. Ignoring Congress, Johnson fired Stanton on February 21, 1868. With the
support of the Republicans, Stanton responded by locking
himself in his office and refusing to leave.
Angered by Johnson's open defiance, the House of
Representatives formally impeached him on February 24 by
a vote of 126 to 47. They charged him with violation of the
Tenure of Office Act and bringing "disgrace, ridicule and
hatred to the Congress of the United States." It was then
up to the Senate to try Johnson.

Trial of Andrew Johnson

Johnson's trial began on March 4th and continued for 11 grueling weeks. On May 16, 1868,
President Johnson escaped removal from office by just one vote.

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Name ________________________________________

Multiple Perspectives Writing Assignment

Assignment Question:
To what extent would it have been right or wrong to
remove Andrew Johnson from office after his
impeachment trial?
Directions:
Use the documents to present the opposing viewpoints on Andrew Johnsons
impeachment and determine whether or not you think he should have been
removed from office and why. Be sure to cite and explain specific examples from
the text of each document to support your analysis of the opposing viewpoints. Be
sure to also consider the potential bias presented in each argument. Finally, make
sure you include a detailed explanation of why you think Andrew Johnson should
or should not have been removed from office.

Historical Context:
On February 24, 1868, something extraordinary happened in the U.S. Congress.
For the first time in history, the United States House of Representatives impeached
a sitting president, Democrat Andrew Johnson, for violating the Tenure of Office
Act. After standing trial in the Senate, Johnson escaped removal from office by a
single vote. During the trial, opposing viewpoints emerged. Some believed
Johnson needed to be removed from office, while others believed that he should
not have been removed.

Opinion
of
Senator Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner (1811 1874) was a politician and senator
from Massachusetts during the American Civil War. As leader
of the antislavery forces in Massachusetts and of the Radical
Republicans in the United States Senate, Sumner worked to
defeat the Confederacy, free all the slaves, and provide African
Americans with equal rights. Below is Sumners opinion (vote
with explanation) from the impeachment trial of Andrew
Johnson.
Charles Sumner

This is one of the last great battles with slavery. Driven from these
legislative Chambers; driven from the field of war, this monstrous power has found
a refuge in the Executive Mansion... All this is very plain. Nobody can question it.
Andrew Johnson is the impersonation of the tyrannical Slave Power. In him it
lives again
Not to dislodge [him] is to leave this country a prey to one of the most
hateful tyrannies of history Not a month, not a week, not a day should be lost.
The safety of the Republic requires action at once. The lives of innocent men must
be rescued from sacrifice.

Slavery has been our worst enemy, murdering our children, filling our homes
with mourning, and darkening the land with tragedy; and now it rears its crest
anew with Andrew Johnson as its representative. Through him it assumes once
more to rule the Republic and to impose its cruel law. The enormity of his conduct
is aggravated by his barefaced treachery. He once declared himself the Moses of
the colored race. Behold him now the Pharaoh Every sentiment, every
conviction, every vow against slavery must now be directed against him. [He is
now in] the Senate for judgment.

Opinion of Senator Charles Sumner

Charles Sumner (1811 1874) was a politician and senator from
Massachusetts during the American Civil War. As leader of the
antislavery forces in Massachusetts and of the Radical Republicans
in the United States Senate, Sumner worked to defeat the
Confederacy, free all the slaves, and provide African Americans
with equal rights. Below is Sumners opinion (vote with
explanation) from the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson.
Charles Sumner

This is one of the last great battles with slavery. Driven from [Congress];
driven from the field of war, this monstrous power (slavery) has found a refuge
(safe home) in the Executive Mansion (the White House)... All this is very plain.
Nobody can question it. Andrew Johnson is the impersonation of the tyrannical
Slave Power (ruling in a cruel way). In him (slavery) lives again.
Not to dislodge [him] (remove him) is to leave this country a prey (victim)
to one of the most hateful tyrannies of history Not a month, not a week, not a
day should be lost. The safety of the Republic (nation) requires action at once.
The lives of innocent men must be rescued
Slavery has been our worst enemy, murdering our children, filling our homes
with (sadness), and darkening the land with tragedy; and now [it reappears] with

Andrew Johnson as its representative. Through him [slavery attempts] once more
to rule the [nation] and to impose its cruel law. He once declared himself the
Moses of the colored race (In the biblical story, Moses freed the Jews from slavery
in Egypt) [Instead, he is] the Pharaoh (the leader of ancient Egypt who actually
enslaved the Jews) Every sentiment (thought), every conviction (belief), every
vow (promise) against slavery must now be directed against him.

Opinion of Senator James W. Grimes

James Grimes

James W. Grimes was elected as a Republican Senator from Iowa

from 1859 until 1869. While in office, he helped draft the
Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and
introduced the bill to create the Medal of Honor. During
President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial, Grimes broke
party ranks, along with six other Republican senators and voted
for acquittal. Below is Grimess opinion (vote with explanation)
from the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson.

Mr. Johnson's character as a statesman, his conduct as a citizen, his efforts at

reconstruction, [and] the exercise of his pardoning power are not before us on any
charges.
I cannot agree to destroy the harmonious working of the Constitution for the sake
of getting rid of an unacceptable President. Whatever may be my opinion of the
incumbent (President Johnson), I cannot consent to trifle with the high office he
holds. I can do nothing which may [cause future Presidents to be impeached for
simply disagreeing with Congress].
However widely, therefore, I may and do differ with the President respecting his
political views and measures, and however deeply I have regretted, and do regret,
the difference between himself and the Congress of the United States, I am not able

to record my vote that he is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors by reason of

those differences. I am acting in a judicial capacity (as a judge) and I must act
according to the best of my ability and judgment. If the President is guilty, I
must say so; if the President is not guilty, I must say so. In my opinion the
President has not been guilty of an impeachable offense.

Opinion of Senator James W. Grimes

James Grimes

James W. Grimes was elected as a Republican Senator from Iowa

from 1859 until 1869. While in office, he helped draft the
Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and
introduced the bill to create the Medal of Honor. During
President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial, Grimes broke
party ranks, along with six other Republican senators and voted
for acquittal (not guilty). Below is Grimess opinion (vote with
explanation) from the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson.

Mr. Johnson's character as a statesman (politician), his [behavior] as a citizen,

his efforts at reconstruction, [and] the exercise of his pardoning power are not
before us on any charges (he is not actually on trial for his efforts to block
Reconstruction. He is on trial for violating the Tenure of Office Act).
I cannot agree to destroy the Constitution for the sake of getting rid of an
unacceptable President. Whatever may be my opinion of [Johnson], I cannot
consent (agree) to [mistreat the position] he holds. I can do nothing which may
[cause future Presidents to be impeached for simply disagreeing with Congress].
However widely, therefore, I differ with the President respecting his political
viewsI am not able to record my vote that he is guilty of high crimes and
misdemeanors by reason of those differences. I am acting (as a judge) and I
must act according to the best of my ability and judgment. If the President is

guilty, I must say so; if the President is not guilty, I must say so. In my opinion
the President has not been guilty of an impeachable offense.

Opinion of Charles Sumner

1. Did Charles Sumner vote to keep Andrew Johnson in office as
President or to remove him?

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__________________________________________
2. What was Charles Sumners background? How might his background
help you identify potential bias in his opinion of Andrew Johnson?

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
3. What was Sumners attitude toward Andrew Johnson? Highlight
important words / sentences in the text that support his view. This will
be the textual evidence you include in your essay that supports your
analysis.
4. Do you agree with Charles Sumners views on Andrew Johnsons
impeachment? Why or why not?

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
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Opinion of James W. Grimes

1. Did James Grimes vote to keep Andrew Johnson in office as President
or to remove him?

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
2. What was James Grimess background? How might his background
help you identify potential bias in his opinion of Andrew Johnson?

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
2. What was Grimess attitude toward Andrew Johnson? Highlight
important words / sentences in the text that support his view. This will be
the textual evidence you include in your essay that supports your
analysis.

3. Do you agree with James Grimess views on Andrew Johnsons

impeachment? Why or why not?

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
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Outline of your essay

Paragraph 1: Introduction with thesis
Provide a very brief background of the events leading to Andrew
Johnsons impeachment. Add a thesis statement recognizing the
opposing viewpoints and determining your argument over whether or
not Johnson should be removed. You may put historical context into
your own words and add a thesis statement.
Paragraph 2: Senator Charles Sumners
Perspective
Open with a topic sentence. Then, address the following:
What is Senator Sumners perspective on Andrew Johnson as President?
Did he vote to remove him as President or keep him in office? Support
your claim with specific evidence from the text. Who is Senator
Sumner? How might his background help shape his opinion (bias) for or
against Andrew Johnson?
Paragraph 3: Senator James Grimess Perspective
Open with a topic sentence. Then, address the following:
What is Senator Grimess perspective on Andrew Johnson as President?
Did he vote to remove him as President or keep him in office? Support
your claim with specific evidence from the text.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion and your argument

Acknowledge the opposing viewpoints on the issue of Andrew Johnsons
impeachment. Present your own argument. What do you think? Should
Johnson have been removed from office or not? Explain and defend
your position with detail.

Graphic
outline in order

Organizer (see
to complete)

Introduction Paragraph
Important background information on the impeachment of Andrew
Johnson:

Thesis Statement (recognizing the opposing viewpoints and

establishing your argument over whether or not Johnson should have
been removed from office- do not use I or me or my):

__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Paragraph 2
Senator Sumners argument (with specific text evidence):
Senator Grimess argument (with specific text evidence):

Who is Senator Sumner? How might his background shape his opinion
(bias) for or against Andrew Johnson?

Paragraph 3

Paragraph 4

Acknowledge the opposing viewpoints on Johnsons impeachment and

present your argument. Should Johnson have been removed from
office? Support your argument with detail.