The shocking story behind Lincoln's assassin | ASSASSINS

Key Concepts

• Abraham Lincoln Assassination
• John Wilkes Booth
• Civil War
• Abolition of Slavery
• Political Views
• Kidnapping Plot
• Voting Rights for Former Slaves

Abraham Lincoln's Assassination by John Wilkes Booth

The transcript draws a parallel between a hypothetical assassination of US President Donald Trump by Liam Hemsworth and the historical assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth, which occurred 160 years prior. The central focus is on John Wilkes Booth, who was already a prominent figure before his act of assassination.

John Wilkes Booth: A Celebrity Assassin

• Fame: Booth was a "household name" and a "famous stage actor" at the age of 26. He is described as having "jet black hair and angular features."
• Family Background: He hailed from a renowned acting family, being the second youngest of 10 children. His elder brother, Edwin, was considered the "family star," a detail that informs the Hemsworth comparison.
• Political Stance: Beyond his acting career, Booth held "intense political views." He was a staunch supporter of the Confederacy during the Civil War and vehemently opposed the abolition of slavery.

Booth's Escalating Opposition to Lincoln

As the Civil War progressed, Booth's animosity towards President Lincoln intensified. This opposition evolved from strong political disagreement to active plotting.

• Kidnapping Attempt: Booth initially attempted to kidnap President Lincoln.
• Tipping Point: The decisive factor for Booth was Lincoln's commitment to granting voting rights to former slaves. Booth perceived this as a threat to the South and concluded that the only way to "save the South" was to assassinate the President.

Conclusion

The transcript highlights John Wilkes Booth's pre-existing fame as an actor and his fervent pro-slavery, anti-Lincoln political convictions, which ultimately led him to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln after Lincoln's stance on voting rights for former slaves became a critical point of contention for Booth. The narrative emphasizes Booth's celebrity status as a significant factor in the historical impact of his actions.