h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Andrew Johnson, one of the two Senators from the state of Tennessee, was the only Southerner to remain at his post after his state had declared to leave the Union at the start of the US Civil War. In 1862 President Lincoln appointed him as military Governor of the occupied part of his own state (Tennessee). When facing re-election to his second term Lincoln decided to choose a Southerner as his Vice-President to help heal the ill-feeling of the war. Lincoln wished to re-unite the country as quickly as possible.

Soon after the election an assassin ended Lincoln's life and Johnson had to assume his duties with an unsympathetic congress who wanted to punish the South for the war. Several bills were passed over his veto, including the 'Tenure of Office Act' which forbade him from removing any cabinet officer that the former President had appointed. When the Secretary of War, Edward Stanton openly defied Johnson's instructions he demanded his resignation in defiance of the Congress's act. This was the basis of the impeachment trial.

After three months of testimony only a single vote prevented his removal from office.

He served out the remainder of his term and returned to private life. He was briefly re-elected to the Senate, but died shortly after taking office in 1875.

F S

Good post!

[Amy P]

Your excellent journals demonstrate the circularity of American political history. This might be taken as proof that Congress is institutionally amnesiac. Perhaps even constitutionally so.

Really interesting!