High Crimes and Misdemeanors

Introduction

The Founders were dedicated to creating, as John Adams put it, a government of laws and not of men. Unlike a monarchy where a king served for life by claimed divine right, the office of President of the United States was limited and subject to the law. The Constitution provides for the removal of the President from office “on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” The process of impeachment requires an accusation from the House of Representatives. An impeached President is then tried in the Senate, with the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court presiding. Two Presidents in US history have been impeached by the House of Representatives: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Johnson and Clinton were acquitted by the Senate. The House drew up Articles of Impeachment against Richard Nixon for his involvement in the Watergate scandal but he resigned before the entire House could vote on the Articles.

More on this theme coming in Spring 2010!

Video Introduction | Free Lessons | Key Terms | Extensions | About this Curriculum

Want to learn more?

The resources contained on the ArticleII.org website are just the beginning! The Bill of Rights Institute curriculum, Presidents and the Constitution, explores how various presidents understood and exercised their constitutional powers. By exploring constitutional crises in American history, these interactive, hands-on lessons encourage students to analyze the actions of Presidents in light of the Constitution.

Students will engage with:

▪ 15 ready-to-use, interactive lesson plans
▪ Strong focus on primary source activities
▪ Solid content including historical narrative in each lesson
▪ Scholarly thematic essays that introduce each unit
▪ Contemporary application highlighted with an “Issues Endure” portal in each unit

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