The Lincoln Assasination - Research Paper Example

Lincoln entered the books of record as the first American president to be assassinated. The assassination was planned and carried out by a famous actor known as John Wilkes Booth who had all along been a sympathizer of the Confederates. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln had a long-lasting impact on the entire nation of the United States and indeed the entire world. He was largely mourned in both the North and the South. It is reported that a number of attacks took place in many cities and states against all those who expressed their unwavering support for the assassin.

Since it took place at the time of Easter celebrations, many clergy all over the country showered praises for the fallen hero of the Union and indeed the entire nation. The funeral procession that was held on 19th of April in 1865 in Washington, D.C was attended by millions of people (Turner, 023-046). The body was moved to many places in the United States until it finally arrived in Springfield, Illinois. Americans were s used to the style of leadership of Abraham Lincoln that embraced dialogue and inclusiveness that it became difficult to get used to another approach to leadership.

As a result, his successor, Andrew Johnson could not stay for long as the president of the nation before he was impeached by the house. The end of the Civil War saw the emergence of a very radical group that controlled the Congress who were commonly referred to as the “Radical Republicans.” Abraham Lincoln was in a better position to control this radical group of representatives. He came up with a detailed plan to help in the reconstruction and the plan included the consideration of the South as a lost brother who was in the process of returning home hence needed to be welcomed.

He had the view of reconstruction as one that was to bring healing and rebuilding of the lost trust between the North and the South while the Radical Republicans considered this time as the best moment to punish and teach the