SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT The Process of Presidential Impeachment.

SOCIAL STUDIES SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECTPROJECT

The Process ofThe Process of

Presidential ImpeachmentPresidential Impeachment

One of these is not like the others...One of these is not like the others...

One of these is not like the others…One of these is not like the others…

One of these is not like the others:One of these is not like the others:

Andrew

Johnson

Franklin

Pierce

Richard

Nixon

Bill

Clinton

Vocabulary 1Vocabulary 1

ImpeachmentImpeachment

A method by which high governmentA method by which high government

officials can be removed from office.officials can be removed from office.


Presidential ImpeachmentPresidential Impeachment

The vote of the U. S. House of The vote of the U. S. House of RepresentativesRepresentatives

to hold a trial against the President in theto hold a trial against the President in the

U. S. Senate. A majority vote.U. S. Senate. A majority vote.

Vocabulary 3Vocabulary 3 Removal from OfficeRemoval from Office

The vote of the U. S. Senate to removeThe vote of the U. S. Senate to remove

the President from office. A two-thirdsthe President from office. A two-thirds

vote.vote.


TreasonTreason

Making war against the United States orMaking war against the United States or

giving “aid and comfort” to the enemies giving “aid and comfort” to the enemies ofof

the United States.the United States.


BriberyBribery

Offering money to a political officialOffering money to a political official

for special consideration or treatment.for special consideration or treatment.


High Crimes and MisdemeanorsHigh Crimes and Misdemeanors

Charges not defined by treason orCharges not defined by treason or

bribery, but serious enough to damagebribery, but serious enough to damage

the integrity of the office of the the integrity of the office of the President.President.


Majority VoteMajority Vote

A vote won by half plus one of the A vote won by half plus one of the totaltotal

number of votes, or 51 out of 100.number of votes, or 51 out of 100.


Two-Thirds VoteTwo-Thirds Vote

A vote won by two-thirds of the total A vote won by two-thirds of the total

number of ballots cast, or 67 out of number of ballots cast, or 67 out of 100.100.

Impeachment of the PresidentImpeachment of the President

Three Case Three Case StudiesStudies

1. Andrew Johnson1. Andrew Johnson

2. Richard Nixon2. Richard Nixon

3. William Clinton3. William Clinton

Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson

A Senator from Tennessee, Johnson A Senator from Tennessee, Johnson supported the Union during the Civil supported the Union during the Civil WarWar

Elected in 1860 as VP under LincolnElected in 1860 as VP under Lincoln Became President in 1861 after Became President in 1861 after

Lincoln Lincoln assassinationassassination Campaigned against Amendment 14Campaigned against Amendment 14 Angered both houses of Congress with Angered both houses of Congress with

vetoes and appointmentsvetoes and appointments

Charges against JohnsonCharges against Johnson

Serious Misconduct - Violation of the Serious Misconduct - Violation of the Tenure of Office ActTenure of Office Act

The President has traditionally The President has traditionally controlled the membership of his controlled the membership of his Cabinet. The Tenure of Office Act Cabinet. The Tenure of Office Act limited this power. President Johnson limited this power. President Johnson dismissed Edwin Stanton as Secretary dismissed Edwin Stanton as Secretary of War without congressional of War without congressional approval, not once but twice.approval, not once but twice.

Process against JohnsonProcess against Johnson

February 24, 1868February 24, 1868The House of Representatives voted to The House of Representatives voted to

impeach President Johnson on 11 impeach President Johnson on 11 articles.articles.

March 30, 1868March 30, 1868The trial to remove President Johnson The trial to remove President Johnson

begins in the Senate.begins in the Senate. May 16, 1868May 16, 1868

The Senate votes - at least 36 must vote The Senate votes - at least 36 must vote to convict President Johnson and remove to convict President Johnson and remove him from office.him from office.

And the vote is:And the vote is:

35 to 19 (one short of the required number!)35 to 19 (one short of the required number!)

President Johnson is acquitted and serves the President Johnson is acquitted and serves the rest of his termrest of his term

When his term is over, he returns to When his term is over, he returns to Tennessee, and is elected to the U.S. Senate Tennessee, and is elected to the U.S. Senate in 1874in 1874

Andrew Johnson died in 1875Andrew Johnson died in 1875





3. William Clinton3. William Clinton

Richard NixonRichard Nixon

A former Representative and then A former Representative and then Senator from CaliforniaSenator from California

Vice President under Dwight EisenhowerVice President under Dwight Eisenhower Elected President in 1968Elected President in 1968 Re-elected in 1972Re-elected in 1972 Evidence surfaced that he was involved Evidence surfaced that he was involved

in a criminal action prior to his re-in a criminal action prior to his re-election - a break-in at the Democratic election - a break-in at the Democratic National Headquarters at the Watergate National Headquarters at the Watergate HotelHotel

Chargers against NixonChargers against Nixon

Obstruction of Justice – cover up of the Obstruction of Justice – cover up of the Watergate break-inWatergate break-in

Abuse of Power – receiving information Abuse of Power – receiving information not necessary for his jobnot necessary for his job

Contempt of Congress – refusal to Contempt of Congress – refusal to produce papers requested by Congressproduce papers requested by Congress

Process against NixonProcess against Nixon July 27, 1974July 27, 1974

The House Judiciary Committee approves the The House Judiciary Committee approves the first of three impeachment charges.first of three impeachment charges.

July 28, 1974July 28, 1974The HJC approves the third of three charges.The HJC approves the third of three charges.

July 28, 1974July 28, 1974The HJC approves the third of three charges.The HJC approves the third of three charges.

August 9, 1974August 9, 1974Richard Nixon resigns the office of President.Richard Nixon resigns the office of President.

And Nixon said:And Nixon said:

I have never been a quitter. To I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as instinct in my body. But as President, I must put the interest of President, I must put the interest of America first. America needs a full-America first. America needs a full-time President and a full-time time President and a full-time Congress, particularly at this time Congress, particularly at this time with problems we face at home and with problems we face at home and abroad. abroad.

To continue to fight To continue to fight through the months ahead through the months ahead for my personal vindication for my personal vindication would almost totally would almost totally absorb the time and absorb the time and attention of both the attention of both the President and the Congress President and the Congress in a period when our entire in a period when our entire focus should be on the focus should be on the great issues of peace great issues of peace abroad and prosperity abroad and prosperity without inflation at home. without inflation at home. Therefore, I shall resign the Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at Presidency effective at noon tomorrow. Vice noon tomorrow. Vice President Ford will be President Ford will be sworn in as President at sworn in as President at that hour in this office.that hour in this office.





3. 3. William ClintonWilliam Clinton

William (Bill) ClintonWilliam (Bill) Clinton

A former Governor of Alabama.A former Governor of Alabama. Elected President in 1992.Elected President in 1992. Re-elected in 1996.Re-elected in 1996. Evidence surfaced that he was Evidence surfaced that he was

involved in the abuse of the power of involved in the abuse of the power of his office while Governor of Alabama his office while Governor of Alabama in having an illicit sexual affair with in having an illicit sexual affair with Paula Jones.Paula Jones.

Charges against ClintonCharges against Clinton

Perjury before the Independent Perjury before the Independent Counsel, Kenneth Starr, relating to Counsel, Kenneth Starr, relating to the Paula Jones casethe Paula Jones case

Perjury in the Paula Jones civil casePerjury in the Paula Jones civil case

Obstruction of justice by committing Obstruction of justice by committing perjury before the Senate Judiciary perjury before the Senate Judiciary Committee concerning the Jones caseCommittee concerning the Jones case

Process against ClintonProcess against Clinton

December 19, 1998December 19, 1998The House of Representatives voted to The House of Representatives voted to

impeach President Clinton on 2 articles impeach President Clinton on 2 articles (not on perjury in the Jones civil suit).(not on perjury in the Jones civil suit).

January 7, 1999January 7, 1999The trial to remove President Clinton The trial to remove President Clinton

begins in the Senate.begins in the Senate. February 12, 1999February 12, 1999

The Senate votes - at least 67 must vote The Senate votes - at least 67 must vote to convict President Clinton and remove to convict President Clinton and remove him from office.him from office.

And the vote is:And the vote is:

45 to 55 (well short of a majority, much 45 to 55 (well short of a majority, much less the required two-thirds vote) on Article less the required two-thirds vote) on Article 1, and 50 to 50 (just short of a majority…) 1, and 50 to 50 (just short of a majority…) on Article 3.on Article 3.

President Clinton is acquitted and serves President Clinton is acquitted and serves the rest of his termthe rest of his term

Vice President Al Gore runs for President in Vice President Al Gore runs for President in 2000, and loses, some think, because of 2000, and loses, some think, because of the Clinton Connection.the Clinton Connection.

Internet Resources - JohnsonInternet Resources - Johnson

http://www.impeach-andrewjohnson.com/http://www.impeach-andrewjohnson.com/

http://www.ibiscom.com/john.htmhttp://www.ibiscom.com/john.htm

http://www.crf-usa.org/impeachment/http://www.crf-usa.org/impeachment/impeachment1.htmlimpeachment1.html

http://teachpol.tcnj.edu/amer_pol_hist/http://teachpol.tcnj.edu/amer_pol_hist/thumbnail216.htmlthumbnail216.html

Internet Resources - NixonInternet Resources - Nixon

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/prehttp://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/rn37.htmlsidents/rn37.html

http://www.gatorcorporation.com/http://www.gatorcorporation.com/help/hd_postyes40/hd-post-yes40-help/hd_postyes40/hd-post-yes40-p1f.htmlp1f.html

http://www.colonize.com/p/a.php?http://www.colonize.com/p/a.php?a=n001001189a=n001001189

Internet Resources - ClintonInternet Resources - Clinton

http://www.historyplace.com/http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/impeachments/unitedstates/impeachments/clinton.htmclinton.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/library/http://www.nytimes.com/library/politics/clintonlewinsky-index.htmlpolitics/clintonlewinsky-index.html

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/history/johnson/clintontimeline.htmhistory/johnson/clintontimeline.htm

SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT The Process of Presidential Impeachment.

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