The Impeachment and Trial of Andrew Johnson by Michael Les Benedict is a non fiction .
novel about the impeachment of the United States 7th president Andrew Johnson in 1868. He .
goes into detail about how he came into power and the occurrences that led to his impeachment. .
Johnson being a Democrat had numerous conflicting views with those of the Republicans. It was .
his consistent vetoes to grant ex-slaves, or freedmen, egual rights and opportunities as white men .
that brought it all about. In February 24, 1868 the House of Representatives voted to impeach .
President Johnson. Congress wanted Johnson impeached because he refused to cooperate or .
compromise over black rights and the reconstruction of Southern State governments. But under .
the Constitution Congress had to charge him with "high crimes and misdemeanors". After this .
trial the Senate failed by one vote to convict Johnson and remove him from presidency. .
In this book Michael Les Benedict argues that the impeachment of Andrew Johnson was .
justified. "It was not a radical attempt to remove the president out of spite or vindictiveness or .
even simply as a political foe. Rather it was a step taken reluctantly only when an otherwise .
divided party of radicals, as well as non radical Republicans agreed that the presidents activities .
threatened to overturn congressional reconstruction legislation." and in this essay I am going to .
evaluate the merits and shortcomings of the book. .
The author goes into an extensive reasoning, arguing why he thinks the impeachment was .
justified. In my opinion his purpose was achieved. "In contrast to their role in the 18666 radicals .
were taking an active part in the campaign. By endorsing black suffrage in the reconstruction act, .
Republicans had already opened themselves to the democratic charges of radicalism they had so .
successfully blunted themselves to the previous years. One group of issues revolved around the .