Lincoln’s Assassination


US History Reconstruction Era and the Western Frontier Lincoln's Assassination
Students learn about Abraham Lincoln's reelection in 1864 and the message of his second inaugural address. Then they learn about the assassination of Lincoln and Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction plan. Finally, they study John Wilkes Booth and his motives and methods for assassinating Abraham Lincoln.

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Overview

In this experience, students learn about Abraham Lincoln’s reelection in 1864 and the message of his second inaugural address. Then they learn about the assassination of Lincoln and Andrew Johnson’s Reconstruction plan. Finally, they study John Wilkes Booth and his motives and methods for assassinating Abraham Lincoln.

Objectives:

  • Identify Lincoln’s hopes for the Union after his reelection.
  • Explain how the assassination of Lincoln and the inauguration of a new President led to conflict.


Times were difficult for the United States following the Civil War, and there were many political, economic, and social conflicts, as reflected in the presidential election of 1864. The acceptable way to deal with national conflicts is through established political channels and public debate. What happens when a single individual takes matters into his own hands? In this experience, you will learn about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

Objectives:

  • Identify Lincoln’s hopes for the Union after his reelection.
  • Explain how the assassination of Lincoln and the inauguration of a new President led to conflict.


Five people in a theater box

President Lincoln’s Assassination at Ford’s Theater


Do you know what the word assassination means? Look it up in a dictionary, and then write a definition in your own words.



Ensure that students understand that an assassination is generally politically motivated.


Can you name a president besides Abraham Lincoln who was assassinated? To list more than one, separate them with a comma, like this: Senate, Congress.

Post your answer

The U.S. presidents who have been assassinated are: Abraham Lincoln (1865), James Garfield (1881), William McKinley (1901), and John Kennedy (1963).


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