Why Was Johnson Impeached

Johnson was impeached because he took a fateful step. He removed from office Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, who had administered the War Department in support of the congressional Reconstruction policy. This seemed to violate the Tenure of Office Act, which was passed the year before over Johnson’s veto, which required Senate consent for such removals. The house impeached Johnson on February 24. The official reasoning of his impeachment was that he had violated the Tenure of Office Act. This was an office that Johnson considered unconstitutional. The real reason for his impeachment was his stubborn defiance of Congress on Reconstruction. This impeachment by the House didn’t remove him office, it was more like a grand jury indictment