The Lincoln Impeachment

Michael Sherwin

Crescent Valley High School

email: michael.sherwin@corvallis.k12.or.us


 

The Lincoln Impeachment

Assume that the time is during the Civil War before the victories by Farragut and Sheridan. Things look bad for the Union. See text p. 468, last paragraph. (“Lincoln’s reelection was at first gravely in doubt.”)

Assume that a bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives calling for the impeachment of President Lincoln. Supporters of the bill argue that Lincoln ought to be impeached because of

1.       violations of civil liberties,

2.       his poor conduct of the war,

3.       emancipation, and

4.       other high crimes and misdemeanors.

 High Crimes and Misdemeanors

The Writ of Habeas Corpus

Military Tribunals

Reaction to the Emancipation Proclamation

 

Major Civil War Battles through April 1864

 

Limits on Congress (a long article--search for "Lincoln")

Judiciary Power and Practice (a long article--search for "Lincoln")

Abraham Lincoln and the Border States

Law and Society in Illinois and the Union (a long article--search for "Lincoln")

 

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