The conflict between President Johnson and Congress revolved around how Reconstruction should occur in the southern states. President Johnson wanted the states to take the lead themselves with minimal involvement of the federal government while Congress wanted to oversee and control the reforms. Congress then passed the Tenure of Office Act, prohibiting the President from removing key officeholders without the consent of the Senate. President Johnson felt this act to be unconstitutional and removed Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton who strongly supported the Radicals' Reconstruction policies.
