Final answer:
Reconstruction and President Johnson's impeachment were influenced by the 13th and 14th Amendments, the Civil Rights Act, and the Reconstruction Acts. These efforts bolstered Reconstruction by introducing citizenship and equal rights for African Americans, leading to political conflict and Johnson's impeachment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Reconstruction period and the impeachment of President Johnson were significantly impacted by several key legislative measures, particularly the 13th and 14th Amendments, the Civil Rights Act, and the Reconstruction Acts. The 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, was a vital starting point to the transformation of the United States post-Civil War.
However, it was the 14th Amendment and the Civil Rights Act that provided the legal framework for citizenship and equal protection under the law for African Americans, directly challenging the Black codes and racially discriminatory Jim Crow policies. Although President Johnson opposed the Civil Rights efforts, his vetoes were overridden by a Radical Republican-dominated Congress. The Reconstruction Acts then enforced these new provisions by dissolving state governments and placing the South under military rule until they complied with these new amendments and rights.
This comprehensive approach aimed to reshape Southern society and secure equality for former slaves, but it also led to fierce political battles and ultimately to the impeachment of President Johnson. The efforts by the Radical Republicans meant to maintain and strengthen Reconstruction challenged Johnson's authority and resulted in the nation's first presidential impeachment process, although Johnson was not removed from office.