Question

How did President Johnson test the Tenure of Office Act?

a. Ordered General Grant to move the army out of Washington.
b. Fired Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton.
c. Fired the Secretary of State, William H. Seward.
d. Repudiated the debts of the Confederacy or any of the states of the Confederacy.

Answer 1

President Johnson tested the Tenure of Office Act by firing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton without Senate approval, which led to his impeachment but not his removal from office.

Step-by-step explanation:

President Andrew Johnson tested the Tenure of Office Act by firing Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton. This action directly challenged the Act, which was passed by Congress to limit the President's powers by requiring Senate approval for the dismissal of certain officials. Johnson's dismissal of Stanton without Senate consent led to his impeachment, although he was ultimately acquitted by the Senate. The Tenure of Office Act was primarily intended to protect officials who supported the Radical Republicans and their plans for Reconstruction, and to potentially set up a scenario in which Johnson could be impeached and removed from office.

The correct answer to the student's question is: b. Fired Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton.

The purpose of the Tenure of Office Act was to:

1. Force Andrew Johnson into a position that could lead to his impeachment.