American Civil Exam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

American Civil Exam - Assignment Example Things came to a head in 1968, when Johnson, who had inherited Lincoln’s Cabinet when Lincoln was assassinated, decided to fire his Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, who publicly supported the radical Republicans over Johnson. Under the 1867 Tenure of Office Act, Johnson was prohibited from firing any of his staff who’d been approved by the Senate for their position. After a gentlemanly stand-off in the War building between Stanton and his appointed replacement, the House voted to adopt and Impeachment Resolution, citing Johnson’s disregard of the Tenure of Office Act as well as other â€Å"high crimes† and misdemeanors.† The Republican argument was simple: Johnson had openly violated the Tenure of Office Act. Plus, the House went on to add, he was â€Å"an accidental Chief† and the â€Å"elect of an assassin.† By this time, the House was openly hostile — a fact that historians say might have hurt their case.