The Problem with Secession
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas seceded from the Union. For this reason, they were not represented in the Senate or House of Representatives and could not participate in the impeachment of the President. These states were not allowed to vote on the impeachment of President Johnson because the republican majority in the north want the states that seceded to vote to preserve the Presidency under Andrew Johnson.
- Florida – June 9, 1868
- North Carolina – July 4, 1868 (after rejection – December 14, 1866)
- Louisiana – July 9, 1868 (after rejection – February 6, 1867)
- South Carolina – July 9, 1868 (after rejection – December 20, 1866)
Before the Civil War began there were 34 states. Initially 7 southern state seceded. On February 24, 1868 the House of Representatives voted 126 to 47 in favor of impeachment. Having the support of two thirds of the representatives, the motion to impeach Johnson was forwarded to the Senate. If the Representavies from the States that seceded, were allowed to vote, it is very likely that there would have been the votes necessary to impeach the President. The number needed to convict the President was 36 of the 54. As a result, Andrew Johnson was acquitted by a single vote.
On July 21st, 1868, the Georgia General Assembly adopted a joint resolution ratifying the 14th Amendment, a requirement imposed by Congress on June 25, 1868, as a condition for readmission to the Union. A voice vote on the resolution was taken in the House, where it reportedly won by a large majority.
Texas — February 18, 1870.
Delaware — February 12, 1901 (after rejection – February 8, 1865)
Kentucky — March 18, 1976 (after rejection – February 24, 1865)
Mississippi — March 16, 1995; Certified – February 7, 2013 (after rejection – December 5, 1865)
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