Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by actor John Wilkes Booth on the evening of April 14, 1865, while attending a performance of 'Our American Cousin' at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, entered the presidential box and shot Lincoln in the back of the head. Lincoln died early the next morning, marking a pivotal moment in American history, as he had played a crucial role in leading the country through the Civil War and working towards the abolition of slavery. The nation was in mourning as news of his assassination spread rapidly throughout the country.

In a swift response to Lincoln's death, Vice President Andrew Johnson was sworn in as the 17th President of the United States just hours later. Johnson, who had been a Southern Unionist from Tennessee, faced the daunting task of leading a nation fractured by war and now mourning the loss of its leader. His presidency would prove controversial, especially in regard to the Reconstruction policies he would implement in the post-war South. The impact of Lincoln's assassination and the transition to Johnson's presidency would resonate throughout American politics for years to come, as questions about leadership and the future direction of the nation hung heavily in the air.

The events following Lincoln’s assassination also involved a nationwide manhunt for Booth and his co-conspirators. Booth was ultimately tracked down and killed 12 days later. The assassination had profound implications for the relationship between the federal government and states, especially in the South as reconstruction efforts were implemented. Johnson’s leniency towards the Southern states raised tensions with Radical Republicans in Congress, leading to a turbulent period in American politics.