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Why Was President Johnson Guilty?

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The Civil War was not over when the last battle of it was fought. The United States was still in deep debate over whether the former southern rebels, or Confederates, should be punished and how. Unfortunately, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the middle of the reconstruction era. Andrew Johnson, who was Vice President while Lincoln was in office, took Lincoln’s place as president after Lincoln was murdered. Many northerners were unhappy with Johnson because they did not agree with his beliefs and decisions. The fact that Johnson was disliked from the beginning of his presidency provides a motive and reasoning for Congress to have wanted to plot against him. Also, laws were clearly passed to purposely restrict Johnson from his presidential powers. President Johnson was not actually taken out of office despite allegations against him for breaking a law. These facts show that President Johnson was the victim of Congress during the time shortly after the Civil …show more content…

At the conclusion of his trial, the Senate voted Johnson not guilty. Therefore, his innocence was proven by law and he should not have been impeached. One accusation stated against him read: “...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, said Edwin M. Stanton…”. Congress accused Johnson of breaking a law that was meant for him to break. Congress set a clear trap for Johnson just to fulfill their desire to remove the opposing president from office. Some members of Congress reconsidered their actions and Johnson’s during the long period of his trial. This indicates that the impeachment was an act of impulsive hate against the president. In conclusion with the Senate voting Johnson not guilty, Andrew Johnson returned to office where he rightfully belonged the entire

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