Impeached summary

Revisiting the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

In Impeached, David O. Stewart takes us back to the tumultuous period following the American Civil War. The book provides a detailed account of the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. Stewart argues that Johnson's presidency was marked by a series of controversial decisions that led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1868.

Stewart begins by setting the stage, describing the political climate in the aftermath of the Civil War. Johnson, a Southern Democrat, was initially seen as a moderate who could help heal the nation's wounds. However, his lenient policies towards the former Confederate states and his clashes with the Radical Republicans in Congress quickly led to a breakdown in relations.

Johnson's Impeachment and the Trial

The heart of Impeached focuses on the events leading to Johnson's impeachment. Stewart meticulously details the sequence of events, including Johnson's violation of the Tenure of Office Act, which led to the dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. This act was seen as a direct challenge to the authority of Congress, and the House of Representatives responded by impeaching Johnson on eleven articles of impeachment.

The subsequent trial in the Senate forms a significant part of the book. Stewart provides a vivid portrayal of the trial, highlighting the intense political maneuvering and the high stakes involved. Johnson's defense team argued that the Tenure of Office Act was unconstitutional, and that the President had the right to remove his cabinet members. In the end, Johnson narrowly escaped conviction, with the Senate falling one vote short of the two-thirds majority required for removal from office.

Legacy of Johnson's Impeachment

Stewart concludes Impeached by examining the aftermath of Johnson's impeachment. He argues that while Johnson survived the trial, his presidency was effectively neutered, and he became a lame duck. The impeachment process, according to Stewart, set a precedent for the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, reinforcing the principle that the President could not dismiss cabinet members without Senate approval.

Furthermore, Stewart suggests that Johnson's impeachment had a lasting impact on American politics. It intensified the divide between the President and Congress, setting the stage for future clashes between the two branches of government. The book also explores the broader implications of Johnson's presidency and impeachment, shedding light on the challenges of post-war reconstruction and the struggle for racial equality in the United States.

Final Thoughts on Impeached

In Impeached, David O. Stewart offers a compelling re-examination of a pivotal moment in American history. He presents Andrew Johnson as a deeply flawed leader whose actions during a critical period exacerbated the nation's wounds rather than healing them. Stewart's meticulous research and engaging narrative style make this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of post-Civil War America and the dynamics of presidential impeachment.