What was the main purpose of the Tenure of Office Act?

The primary aim of the Tenure of Office Act was to restrict the President's ability to remove certain office-holders from their positions without the Senate's approval. This act was enacted in 1867 during the Reconstruction era, mainly in response to conflicts between President Andrew Johnson and Congress regarding the appointment and removal of officials.

By requiring Senate consent for the removal of key officials, the Tenure of Office Act sought to ensure that the President could not unilaterally dismiss appointees who were seen as supportive of Congressional policies, particularly those related to Reconstruction. This legislation significantly affected the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches during a tumultuous time in U.S. history. It ultimately led to a constitutional crisis and the impeachment of Andrew Johnson when he violated the act by attempting to remove his Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton.

The other options do not accurately reflect the purpose of the Tenure of Office Act. The act was not designed to deal with the appointment of Supreme Court Justices or to establish term limits for Congress. It also did not pertain to overriding presidential vetoes, which is an entirely different legislative function.