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The Tangled History of Abraham Lincoln's Assassination

Jamie Bell

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Published in The Wound Is Mortal: The Story Of The Assassination Of Abraham Lincoln (Tangled History)

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On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. The assassination was a shocking event that stunned the nation and plunged the country into mourning. In the aftermath of the assassination, there was a widespread search for Booth, who was eventually tracked down and killed by Union soldiers.

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln has been the subject of much debate and speculation over the years. Some historians believe that Booth was part of a larger conspiracy to assassinate Lincoln and other top government officials. Others believe that Booth acted alone, out of a desire for revenge against Lincoln for his role in the Civil War.

The Wound Is Mortal: The Story of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (Tangled History)

by Jessica Gunderson

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Whatever the motive, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln was a tragedy that had a profound impact on the course of American history. Lincoln was a beloved leader who had guided the country through the Civil War and was on the verge of reuniting the nation. His assassination was a major setback to the cause of Reconstruction and helped to prolong the period of racial tension and violence that followed the war.

The Events Leading Up to the Assassination

In the months leading up to the assassination, Lincoln had been traveling extensively, speaking to crowds about the need for reconciliation and healing after the Civil War. He had also been working on plans for Reconstruction, including the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery. Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, was outraged by Lincoln's policies and vowed to kill him.

On the evening of April 14, 1865, Lincoln and his wife, Mary, attended a performance of the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre. Booth, who had been planning the assassination for months, entered the theater and took a seat in the balcony. During the third act of the play, Booth stood up and fired a single shot into the back of Lincoln's head.

Lincoln was rushed to a nearby house, where he died the following morning. Booth escaped from the theater and fled to Virginia. He was eventually tracked down and killed by Union soldiers on April 26, 1865.

The Aftermath of the Assassination

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln was a national tragedy. The country was plunged into mourning, and there was a widespread outpouring of grief. Lincoln was buried in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois, and his funeral procession was one of the largest in American history.

The assassination also had a major impact on the course of Reconstruction. Lincoln had been a strong advocate for reconciliation and healing after the Civil War. His death removed a key obstacle to radical Reconstruction, which led to the passage of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, which granted citizenship and voting rights to African Americans.

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln is a complex and fascinating story. It is a story of tragedy, loss, and the enduring legacy of one of America's greatest presidents.