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.
Students are introduced to the post–Civil War context and the focus of the experience: Lincoln’s reelection, his second inaugural address, his assassination, and Johnson’s Reconstruction plan. They view an image of Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theater, respond in a shared table to the prompt “How can the assassination of a political leader impact a nation?”, and contribute to a word cloud by naming other U.S. presidents who were assassinated.
Teacher MovesClarify that assassinations are generally politically motivated. As students share examples of assassinated presidents, supply or confirm the list (Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy) and use student responses to frame assassination as a political act with national consequences.
Students examine the 1864 election by viewing images of George B. McClellan and Lincoln’s second inauguration and reading The Election of 1864 to understand why Lincoln’s reelection was significant during an ongoing war. They answer a poll about the event that led to McClellan’s decline in popularity. Students then read about Lincoln’s second inauguration and his vision for reunion, including the closing passage of Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, and post to a class wall explaining what they think Lincoln meant by the quote about “malice toward none” and “a just and lasting peace.”
Teacher MovesGuide students to connect Lincoln’s electoral victory to the broader Civil War context. After students interpret the inaugural quote, highlight that Lincoln sought a peaceful, reunited Union in which North and South would “bind up the nation’s wounds” and care for one another, emphasizing reconciliation rather than punishment.
Students learn about Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theater and its immediate aftermath by reading The Assassination of Lincoln and The Assassination of the President. They note that Andrew Johnson, a Southern Democrat who believed in white supremacy, became president and launched Presidential Reconstruction. In a shared table, students recall and list key points of Johnson’s plan, then read about how Johnson implemented his policies while Congress was in recess, pardoned many Confederates, enabled the creation of “black codes,” and increased conflict with the Republican Congress.
Teacher MovesBriefly review Johnson’s Presidential Reconstruction, reminding students of key features they studied earlier (broad pardons for white southerners, return of property, exclusion of African Americans from new state governments, and restoration of land to prewar owners). Use this review to help students see how these policies allowed prewar power structures to reemerge and fueled growing tension with Congress.
Students investigate John Wilkes Booth’s motives and methods by reading John Wilkes Booth shoots Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth. They complete a concept map graphic organizer, recording key facts about Booth’s beliefs, co-conspirators, original kidnapping plan, and broader plot to kill multiple federal leaders. Next, they read an excerpt from an 1864 letter by Booth describing his changing view of the U.S. flag, his sympathy for the South, and his rejection of the Union cause. Using this primary source, students post to a wall explaining Booth’s political motivation for assassinating Lincoln.
Teacher MovesInvite students to share selected facts from their concept maps to consolidate understanding of Booth’s background and plans. After students respond to the letter, share an interesting or exemplary explanation with the class and point out that the excerpt shows Booth’s growing allegiance to the South and, more broadly, his support for slavery and white supremacy as central to his motivation.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
©2026 Exploros. All rights reserved.