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Educating Young People about the Constitution

Presidents and the Constitution, Vol. 2 Impeachment and the Constitution: The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

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Presidents and the Constitution Resources


In order to impeach a President of the United States members of Congress must try him for high crimes and misdemeanors The Constitution, however, does not define high crimes and misdemeanors. What does that phrase mean to you? What does it mean to your friends? Directions: Read Dr. Stuart Leibigers essay. Underline or highlight the facts you think are important.

Impeachment and the Constitution


Constitutional Connection Activity

The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson


Critical Engagement Question Was the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson a political tool? Objectives Understand the events that led to the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson Analyze the Constitutional and political issues that arose during the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson Evaluate the effectiveness of the impeachment process as a way to preserve the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.

President Andrew Johnson


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The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson


Background/Homework Read Handout A: The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson and answer the questions at the end. 1) What was the main difference between President Johnsons approach to restoration and the Republicans approach to Reconstruction. 2) Why did President Johnson remove Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from office? 3) What was the Tenure of Office Act? 4) Did Johnsons impeachment trial prove the effectiveness of the impeachment process as a way to preserve the The actual list of all separation of powers between the Congressman that voted Yea Executive and Legislative branches? and Nay on Andrew Johnsons Why or why not? ImpeachmentMay 26, 1868

The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson


Warm-Up Review Handout B: The Tenure of Office Act and discuss the following: Did this law require the President to get the Senates permission to fire Stanton? If yes, do you believe this requirement itself is constitutional or unconstitutional? (refer to Article II in Appendix B: The United States Constitution) Vote for or against the conviction of Andrew Johnson by Secret Ballot.
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President Andrew Johnson should be


Answer the following question BEFORE you learn the details of the impeachment of Andrew Johnson

1. Acquitted and should remain in office. 2. Convicted and should be removed from office.

The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson


Activity Discuss one assigned card from Handout C: Senators Statements on the Trial of Andrew Johnson. Write the quotation in your own words Complete the two questions below each quotation and share your answers. Which quote did you find most convincing and why?
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The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson


Wrap-Up Discuss the following questions: 1) To what degree do you think the impeachment of Andrew Johnson was a trial where specific constitutional charges were asserted and proved? 2) To what degree do you think the impeachment of Andrew Johnson was a political tool? If it was a political tool, was that appropriate? Explain.

President Andrew Johnson should be


Answer the following question AFTER you learn the details of the impeachment of Andrew Johnson

1. Acquitted and should remain in office. 2. Convicted and should be removed from office.

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The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson


Wrap-Up continued Compare the Before and After impeachment votes and discuss: 1) What influenced your thoughts during the voting? 2) The actual Senate vote was not a secret ballot, does that matter?
Homework Select a political cartoon about the Johnson impeachment trial and write a paragraph explaining the cartoonists point of view. Impeachment Committee Draw your own cartoon in response to the before the Senate: Thaddeus cartoonists message. Stevens and John A. Cartoons can be found by Googling Political Bingham Harper's Weekly, Cartoons Andrew Johnson Impeachment (1868 March 14), p. 161.
Artist : Theodore R. Davis
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The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson


Homework continued Conduct research and list the things Andrew Johnson did in public life after the end of his term of office in 1869.

Extensions Re-try Andrew Johnson using materials in this unit

Thadeus Stevens making the last speech of the Andrew Johnson impeachment trial.

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The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson


Extensions Conduct a Mock Trial with students playing the role of people in the Johnson Impeachment. You can find the people by Googling Key people in the Andrew Johnson Impeachment trial. Example: Benjamin Curtis--chief counsel for Andrew Johnson at the president's impeachment trial in 1868, Curtis persuaded the Senate that an impeachment was a judicial, not political, act and that it required a full hearing of evidence.
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Benjamin Curtis

The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson


Edmund RossRepublican Senator from Kansas 18851889. Question-a senators term is 6 years, why did Ross only serve 4?

Extensions

Research Republican Senator Edmund Ross who broke from his party to cast the deciding vote in the acquittal of Johnson. Create a written and oral presentation on Ross and determine how his story helps/doesnt help understand the politics involved in Andrew Johnsons Impeachment trial. 14

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