feb 24, 1868 - Andrew Johnson Impeached

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Andrew Johnson was a polarizing president. After firing his war secretary Edwin Stanton, the the House of Representatives voted 126 to 47 to impeach Johnson. The House adopted 11 articles of impeachment. The most important articles charged that the president had violated the Tenure of Office Act (which said that cabinet members approved be congrees cannot be fired by the president.) and that Johnson had conspired against Congress and the Constitution. On March 5, 1868, the Senate organized itself as a court to hear the impeachment.

Some of Johnson's accusers tried to implicate him in Lincoln's murder, but failed. As the trial went on, it became clear that the opposition had a weak case it set a precedent that impeachment was meant for something more important than party bickering.

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