Abraham Lincoln became the sixteenth president on November 6th, 1860, in the United States of America through a popular vote (Steers, 2005). His assassination took place while he was still president. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a stage actor who did it on April 14th, 1865. The incidence took place at a play; Our American Cousin, which took place at a theatre in Washington, D.C. John Wilkes shot him on his head while Lincoln watched the play. Abraham Lincoln did not die immediately, but he died the next day (Steers, 2005). Lincoln was the first U.S president to be assassinated. John Wilkes carried out this assassination in an attempt to awaken the confederate cause also by doing away with some other officials in the government. Lincoln’s assassination had an effect on the U.S at large. The South loved him, and his death was also a blow to many slaves who longed for their freedom. His death affected the whole of America and its people at large.
Abraham Lincoln’s death was the worst nightmare for the South. He was to show mercy, and this would have brought peace and unity the soonest time possible. Slavery did not end many years earlier than he had intended. Slavery continued in the South. His death made it impossible for unity to run across all the States (Steers, 2005). His intentions were clear, he wanted nothing but unity, but his death left this unaccomplished. Nevertheless, almost everyone in the cabinet wanted the opposite. The radicals in the cabinet were not merciful when it came to the South, and they were really determined. They were not to show any kindness but instead harshly punish the South (Steers, 2005). Lincoln’s death, therefore, left the South prone to punishment as plotted by these radicals.
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Abraham Lincoln’s death nevertheless created quite some excitement all across the globe and insightful attention on what was to happen to the United States in days to come. Lincoln’s presidency was associated with quite some terrible incidences which had taken place like four years back; how the government faced the rebellion and how Lincoln himself tirelessly stood strong with courage defending all regardless of color or differences brought about by supporting different political parties (Holzer, Symonds, & Williams, 2010). Lincoln’s death brings about excitement and captures the attention of many people. It would have been better if he finished what he had started. The path to which events continue to follow directs the government and hence, policy. The rebellion is nowhere to be seen, and there are no signs of war going on. From his death, it seems like there is nothing that can bring about a rebellion or in any way, trigger feelings of optimism for this cause. People in the South are left with nothing that in any way can kindle the struggle they once initiated (Holzer et al., 2010). The same heads which led the army, our army, and brought victory are still the ones in position, and the assassination by John Booth is still felt by many. The setback by the North affects the South, and so the rebellion is no longer encouraging to go on with it. Lincoln gave them a reason, and this is no longer the same without his presence.
Lincoln was succeeded by Andrew Johnson. After Abraham Lincoln, The United States was left in the hands of Johnson, who was courageous and was good when it came to making a judgment. It was evident that he loved his country and could do anything to defend it (Holzer et al., 2010). He was also caring towards his people and wished nothing but the best to them. He listened to his people and did as they wished. Andrew Johnson respected any task carried out by Lincoln and respected the feelings people had towards all of that. Him coming to the ruling was quite unexpected but was not a wrong choice made. He was new to this, and all that he did was new to him. In many things, he did not have a clue on how to go about them, but despite him being a new president, he did all he could to suit in his position. Everyone was indeed contented that the rebellion that was there gained nothing by the death of Abraham Lincoln or even by Andrew Johnson coming to power.
In conclusion, following Abraham Lincoln’s death, things were quite never the same In the United States. Southerners no longer felt encouraged as Lincoln was, to some extent, their source of strength. Lincoln wanted what was best for the South and the United States at large. He wanted to establish peace among his people by uniting them. He did not discriminate against black Americans, and in so, he wanted them to be treated equally as other people. He wanted to abolish slavery that had rooted the South. His assassination was felt by many, not only in America but all over the world. Lincoln’s death united his country as they came together, despite all their differences, to mourn his death. Indeed the state had lost a very important person, and these feelings brought them together as a nation. His death was a blow to the United States.
References
Holzer, H., Symonds, C. L., & Williams, F. J. (Eds.). (2010). The Lincoln Assassination: Crime and Punishment, Myth and Memory (Vol. 34). Fordham Univ Press.
Steers, E. (2005). Blood on the Moon: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln . University Press of Kentucky.
