Presidents Lincoln vs Johnson
President Lincoln Wanted to reunite the country quickly Did NOT want to punish the Southern states Assassinated on April 15, 1865 – six days after General Lee’s surrender
President Andrew Johnson Favored rapid Reconstruction – reuniting the Nation Johnson’s Plan States must write a new constitution Declared secession illegal Abolished slavery Could not repay outstanding Confederate debts The state’s representatives may then be seated in Congress and the state would be restored to the Union.