Who Killed Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln was widely viewed as one of the greatest Presidents in American history. He presided over the nation during one of its most difficult trials-the Civil War. Lincoln rose from humble beginnings in Kentucky to become a successful lawyer and state legislator in Illinois, where he served four terms. In 1858, his growing concern over the expansion of slavery convinced him to join the anti-slavery Republican Party and run against Democrat Stephan A. Douglas for the U.S. Senate. Lincoln lost the election, but being involved in many debates with Douglas fueled Lincoln to run for President, thus became the sixteenth President.

Lincoln’s election convinced the Southern U.S. to secede (withdraw) from the Union and form a new country that allowed slavery; the Confederate States of America was formed! Lincoln considered this an act of rebellion against the U.S. National Government and the two sides went to war. This was the beginning of the Civil War.

Lincoln felt that people of all races deserved an equal opportunity for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. During the years at war, Lincoln struggled with incompetent generals and faced many harsh criticisms over his policies, yet his guidance and determination helped bring victory to the Union and freedom to millions of black Americans.

On April 14, 1865, Lincoln and his wife attended a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington called Our American Cousin. They were seated on a fine balcony, overlooking the stage. Midway through the performance, a supporter of the Confederacy, John Wilkes Booth slipped into the rear of the balcony and shot Lincoln in the back of his head. Booth then jumped off the balcony and onto the stage just below the balcony, fractured a leg in the fall and was still able to limp off the stage and escape on horseback before anyone could capture him. Lincoln died the next morning.

News of Lincoln’s death sure had an enormous impact of communities all across the North. The North realized that during the precious four years, Lincoln had managed to keep the dream of restored union alive despite the many periods of doubt and discouragement. His assassination sent them all into a deep grief and rage. “While the nation is rejoicing….it is suddenly plunged into the deepest sorrow by the most brutal murder of its loved chief,” wrote one Union Veteran.