Question

Civil War and Reconstruction Tenure of Office Act - why, impeachment?

A) To limit presidential power
B) To expand executive authority
C) To regulate congressional terms
D) To establish judicial independence

Answer 1

The purpose of the Tenure of Office Act was to limit presidential power and force Andrew Johnson into a position that could lead to his impeachment. The act was passed to ensure that Republicans who favored Radical Reconstruction would not be barred or stripped of their jobs. President Johnson's removal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton without gaining Senate approval was seen as a violation of the Tenure of Office Act, leading to his impeachment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of the Tenure of Office Act was to limit presidential power and force Andrew Johnson into a position that could lead to his impeachment.

The act was passed by Congress in 1867 and required the president to gain the approval of the Senate whenever he appointed or removed officials. This act was passed to ensure that Republicans who favored Radical Reconstruction would not be barred or stripped of their jobs.

President Johnson's removal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton without gaining Senate approval was seen as a violation of the Tenure of Office Act, leading to his impeachment.