The Most Expensive Bullet in U.S. History?

Question

Was the one fired from the gun of John Wilkes Booth
I am an amatueur Civil War Historian. And I believe that the assassinaton af Abrahan Lincoln was probably the single worst event in U.S. History
Because of Lincoln's horrible death, the United staes was plunged into 100 Years of racial inequailty, intolerance, and suffering.
I honestly believe, had He lived, Lincoln would have found a way to heal the nation's post Civil War wounds. He was that great enough of a Man I think. Instead becuse of Lincoln's death America got saddled with Andrew Johnson and reconstruction. What a National Tragedy

Your thoughts? Agree or disagree?

Fabric & Cbox....Suberb answers
Thank You

Answer 1

I agree.

I don't know that he would have healed the nation in a four year period, but I believe the cornerstone he would have laid for it would have made the recovery time much shorter than the next 100-120 years. Lincoln's plan for Reconstruction promoted reconciliation and moderation; he had no desire to punish the South after the horrors of the previous years.

The Reconstruction therefore was left in the hands of a very weak Andrew Johnson. With his total lack of grasp of the situation at hand, and his lack of political finesse that could not negotiate with the more ardent Republicans in Congress which wanted stricter terms to readmit the South to the Union, Johnson's weaknesses allowed events to occur which merely drove the wedge between North & South deeper. Lincoln had the political acumen and political saavy, that the a good porportion of the demeaning events of the Reconstruction never would have occurred.

Answer 2

No way to tell for sure. I think no matter how great the leader, post-civil war healing would have taken time (about 20 years). There was so much animosity and unfairness towards slaves having land given to them and then taken away, later -- and on the other side, Reconstruction was almost as bad as the Versaille Treaty, punishing the ex-Confederacy far beyond reasonability.

I find it ironic that if a U.S. State wanted to suceed, we would not allow it, but for the last 30 years, we've encouraged other sub-countries and countries, to break-off from Super-set power.

btw - Rutherford B. Hayes was received less electoral and popular votes than Samuel Tilden. South Carolina, whose popular vote went to Tilden, decided to cast their electoral votes for Hayes. This is constitutional legal even though it sound ridicoulous. Al Gore brought up this case in 2000 and claimed that Haye's presidency was one of the worst in history. In fact, Hayes reformed Civil Service (for the better) and ended the tyrannical philosphy of Reconstruction.

In short -- I have no idea what would happen if the "stone on the beach" were moved 3-inches to the left -- anything good or bad may occur when you play with Time Travel and What-Ifs. :-)

Answer 3

I do agree with you that Reconstruction was a complete and utter failure. It didn't accomplish any of the goals needed at the time. Not only did it not heal the rift between the North and the South, but it strengthened the divide. Also the policies enacted during that time continued inequality for the Blacks in the U.S. The ramifications of these programs can still be felt to this very day. Racial inequality still exists today, it may not be as overtly practiced as it once was, but it does not mean that it isn't there.

Answer 4

Your teacher has a very poor teaching technique. Firstly, try talking to your teacher about the problem. After class, make her aware that she needs to slow down the rate at which she shows notes. See if you can get an electronic copy. Secondly, if your teacher is competent, she should have given you a course outline; a list of topics that you'll cover throughout the year. If you have a textbook, try to read about the topics ahead of the actual class. You'll get a general picture before lessons, and so your teacher can fill in the details during class. Thirdly, try to identify the most important points in the slide show (it's easier said than done. It usually takes years to master this skill). Here are a few ideas to help with your technique: -Usually the first line of the paragraph is the most important one. - Listen first, and then write. Listening first will determine what needs to be written down. -Don’t write down everything. Don't be afraid to ignore irrelevant information. -In every lesson there is usually only about five important points (focus on those points). Fourthly, don't rely on your teacher for everything, use alternative sources. - Try the Internet. - Discuss with your friends - Use the public library (trust me; a well written textbook can saves ALOT of time. It's worth looking for a good history textbook) If things don't improve, try talking to the Head of Department. Finally, if things get out of hand, get your parents to talk to your teacher.

Answer 5

That's an interesting thought and I partially agree. Where we differ is on the matter of racial inequality. The Emancipation Proclimation is without a doubt one of the most important acts in American history. The problem is, beyond freeing the slaves, Lincoln, or anyone for that matter, was helpless to change the feelings and minds of anti-abolitionists. Those who saw blacks as inferior would have continued to do so with or without Lincoln in office.

He was one of our greatest presidents, but changing the minds of people who have been raised for generations to discriminate based soley on race is more than any one man could do.

Answer 6

Simply amazing... Lincoln never thought that Blacks were equal, and his signing the Emancipation Proclamation was more about strategy than it was about freeing slaves. The war wasn't over slavery either... It was an economic war that was (mostly) due to conflict over the administration of cotton contracts with Europe.

Answer 7

Maul, this is a good question, I agree with you, President Lincoln's assination was one of the worst tragedies in US history I agree with everything you said