The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln Flashcards
When was Abraham Lincoln assassinated?
14th April, 1865 - 5 days after the end of the American Civil War
Where was Lincoln assassinated?
Ford’s Theatre in Washington
Who assassinated Lincoln?
John Wilkes Booth
Why did Booth kill Lincoln?
He wanted revenge after the Union had defeated the CSA in the war
Who else did Booth and his conspirators plan to kill?
Andrew Johnson (Vice-President) and William Seward (Secretary of State).
Why did Booth wait for a particular scene in the play?
He knew the audience would laugh and clap, which allowed him to sneak into the presidential box
How did Booth kill Lincoln?
He shot Lincoln in the back of the head. The bullet had the initials ‘AL’ carved into it.
What did Booth shout out to the audience in the theatre?
‘Sic semper tyrannis’ - Latin for ‘thus always to tyrants’
What happened at Seward House?
An assassin tried to kill William Seward. Despite being stabbed a number of times, Seward survived.
Why is there controversy around the hanging of Lewis Payne?
Payne was hanged for trying to murder William Seward, but there is evidence to suggest that Payne’s cousin was the one who committed the crime.
Why did Andrew Johnson survive the plan to assassinate him?
George Atzerodt was meant to kill Johnson at his hotel. Atzerodt did not act and Johnson was not harmed.
What happened to John Wilkes Booth?
He escaped into the countryside, but was hunted down and shot dead by the police.
