The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

by Chester G. Hearn

Overview

While it is commonly known that Andrew Johnson was the first president to be impeached, less well known are the circumstances that led to the unsuccessful campaign to remove him from office. This account of Johnson's political life in Washington (including brief coverage of his early career in Tennessee) focuses on his conflict with the Radical Republicans, a group of fanatical abolitionists who, after Lincoln's assassination, sought to dominate American government and punish the South as harshly as possible. Johnson's focus on healing the nation and his refusal to submit to the Radicals' demands led to his impeachment. Though Johnson was acquitted, his impeachment clearly illustrates the danger when one branch of government tries to dominate the others. This chronicle of the first U.S. presidential impeachment covers in detail the political forces that nearly removed him from office. Numerous illustrations, a bibliography and an index are included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786430963
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	08/15/2007
Pages:	269
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.54(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Chester G. Hearn is the author of numerous other books of history, and his articles have appeared in Blue & Gray, Civil War Times, and North & South. He lives in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments      
Preface     
Introduction     

1. The Rise from Poverty     
2. The War Years     
3. The Emergence of the Radicals     
4. Lincoln’s Legacy     
5. Johnson Takes Charge     
6. The Radicals Organize     
7. The Battle Begins     
8. Force Bills and Riots     
9. A “Swing Around the Circle”     
10. The Elections of 1866     
11. The Reconstruction Act     
12. The 40th Congress     
13. The Puzzling Issue of Impeachment     
14. A Crisis in the War Department     
15. Johnson Is Impeached     
16. The Trial Begins     
17. The President’s Defense     
18. The Closing Arguments     
19. The Verdict     
20. Last Days of the Presidency     
21. Vindication     
22. Epilogue     

Chapter Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

extensive research on the public life of Andrew Johnson...analyze[s] the political turmoil responsible for creating a climate favorable to the possibility of removing a sitting president from office. A timely and insightful reconsideration of a painful episode in the history of the U.S.”—Booklist; “a detailed history...recommended”—ARBA; “exciting reading...fascinating subject matter”—RALPH.

From the Publisher

"exciting reading...fascinating subject matter'

RALPH

a detailed history...recommended

ARBA

extensive research on the public life of Andrew Johnson...analyze[s] the political turmoil responsible for creating a climate favorable to the possibility of removing a sitting president from office. A timely and insightful reconsideration of a painful episode in the history of the U.S.

Booklist