Ask AI: Describe the Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson

The impeachment of President Andrew Johnson occurred in February 1868 as a result of his actions to oppose Radical Reconstruction legislation passed by Congress. Congress accused Johnson of violating the Tenure of Office Act by dismissing Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Johnson was acquitted by the Senate in May 1868 after 35 ballots. The impeachment proceedings against Johnson began in February 1868, when the House passed a resolution to launch an inquiry. The inquiry was led by the House Judiciary Committee, which voted on February 24th to approve eleven charges of high misdemeanors against Johnson. The articles of impeachment were then reported to the full House, which voted to impeach Johnson by a vote of 126 to 47. The Senate trial began in March 1868, with Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase presiding. The prosecution was led by two House members, with the assistance of a prominent lawyer. The trial lasted for three months, with 35 separate ballots taken to decide the president's fate. On May 16, 1868, Johnson was acquitted of all charges, as the Senate fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to remove him from office. The impeachment proceedings against Johnson were highly controversial and divided the country along political lines. His acquittal marked the first time an American president had been impeached, but not removed from office.