How did the impeachment of Andrew Johnson divide republicans?

The impeachment of Andrew Johnson in 1868 highlighted deep divisions within the Republican Party, primarily between the Radical Republicans and the more moderate factions. Radicals sought strong measures to protect the rights of freed slaves and enforce Reconstruction policies, while moderates preferred a more lenient approach towards the South and Johnson's administration. This ideological rift intensified during the impeachment process, as some Republicans believed that removing Johnson would further their goals, while others viewed it as an overreach of Congressional power that could set a dangerous precedent. Ultimately, his acquittal by a single vote underscored the fractures within the party and the differing visions for post-Civil War America.