The Assassination of Lincoln Have you ever wanted something really bad? Like maybe a new toy or a higher job position? Imagine getting that thing you wanted most after working so hard to get it and then losing it soon after. It has to be the worst feeling ever. Now put yourself in Abraham Lincoln's shoes. You have just been inaugurated as president and a few days later, unfortunately, you are assassinated. President Abraham Lincoln was killed by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865 at Ford's Theater in Washington DC (Assassination of Abraham Lincoln). The assassination of Abraham Lincoln was a premature event that slowed the reconstruction process after the Civil War (effect of Lincoln's death on Reconstruction). The assassination increased the North's hatred of the South (The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln page 51). With Lincoln's death, there was no one to control the radical Republicans who wanted to punish the South (Effect of Lincoln's Death on Reconstruction). When Lincoln died he was replaced by President Andrew Johnson who had a terrible relationship with members of Congress (effect of Lincoln's death on Reconstruction). As you might imagine, Lincoln's assassination greatly affected the relationship between the North and the South. The assassination sours their relationship, increasing the North's hatred of the South (The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln p.51). Even before the North knew who killed Lincoln, they blamed the South. The North cried while the South was happy (History Engine). In the North, not only whites, but also blacks mourned the fall of their president (History Engine). In the South the majority was happy, but not everyone (History Engine). Some Southerners joined the North in their sadness and grief. Those that mo… middle of the paper… will pass, but Congress will eventually override its vetoes on most laws (Barney, William L.). Lincoln's assassination damaged relations between the North and the South, increasing the North's hatred of the South. His death gave radical Republicans more freedom to punish the South. And he put Andrew Johnson in charge, who also wanted to punish the South and had a terrible relationship with members of Congress. Without President Lincoln, the Reconstruction process took 12 years. If Lincoln had still been alive at that time perhaps many of the things that happened would not have happened. He could have controlled the radicals, saved the relationship between the North and the South, stopped much of the racism and racial groups like the KKK, and President Johnson would not have been in charge. In conclusion, Lincoln's untimely death had a huge impact on slowing down Reconstruction.