What was one reason for impeaching Andrew Johnson?

What was one reason for impeaching Andrew Johnson?

• A. Breaking the Tenure in Office Act
• B. Perjury
• C. Refusing to send funds to Ukraine
• D. Inciting a riot

Answer: (A)

The question tests how presidential power and congressional limits played out in Reconstruction-era impeachment. Andrew Johnson was impeached mainly because he removed Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, without Senate approval, in direct violation of the Tenure of Office Act. That law was designed to restrict the President’s ability to replace certain officeholders without legislative consent, giving Congress a check on executive action during Reconstruction. By defying this act, Johnson was seen as abusing his office and obstructing Congress, which is what the impeachment charges focused on. The other choices don’t fit the historical situation: perjury would require lying under oath, the Ukraine funds idea is anachronistic, and inciting a riot isn’t tied to the impeachment charges.

The question tests how presidential power and congressional limits played out in Reconstruction-era impeachment. Andrew Johnson was impeached mainly because he removed Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, without Senate approval, in direct violation of the Tenure of Office Act. That law was designed to restrict the President’s ability to replace certain officeholders without legislative consent, giving Congress a check on executive action during Reconstruction. By defying this act, Johnson was seen as abusing his office and obstructing Congress, which is what the impeachment charges focused on. The other choices don’t fit the historical situation: perjury would require lying under oath, the Ukraine funds idea is anachronistic, and inciting a riot isn’t tied to the impeachment charges.