John Wilks Booth's Play 'Our American Cousin'

Abraham Lincoln was a republican candidate that became president November 6, 1860; he wanted to build a transcontinental railroad, and was strongly against slavery. He was the first president from the Republican Party and many of the democrats were upset when he got elected. Many things led to the assassination of Lincoln; most people were upset with him because he wanted to end slavery, and gain back the states that seceded, which required the civil war. The civil war had many Americans outraged; they just wanted the war to be over, and for Lincoln to stop the deaths. President Lincoln served as president through the entire civil war and was essential to getting all the states joined back together and be united. On April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Courthouse General Lee and his massive army surrendered to General Grant which led to all the smaller southern armies surrendering. The American Civil War was over and everyone began to celebrate; Lincoln brought them …show more content…
They were late to the play, but were sitting in a private box right above the stage with a couple other people. Booth quietly slipped into their private box; waited until a line in the play that would cause a burst of laughter, shot Lincoln in the back of the head and stabbed his officer. Lincoln was paralyzed and struggling to breathe, but not yet dead. Booth then jumped onto the stage, breaking his leg, and shouted “Sic semper tyrannies” as he limped off and escaped on his horse. Many people felt as if it was part of the play, but the first lady’s screams proved otherwise. Several people carried Lincoln to a doctor and that assessed Lincoln’s injuries and decided that he was going to pass away that night, and there was nothing anyone could do to help him. He passed away the next morning and everyone was on the hunt for Booth and any