The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln: Manhunt for the Killer (Part 2)

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic and Tom delve into the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, beginning with John Wilkes Booth's act at Ford's Theatre and its immediate aftermath, including Lincoln's death and the reactions of those present, especially Mary Lincoln and his son Tad. They explore the conspiracy surrounding the assassination, the failed attempts on other government officials, and Booth's escape and eventual capture and death, highlighting the key figures involved and the conflicting accounts of the events. Dominic and Tom also discuss the potential impact of Lincoln's survival on Reconstruction and racial equality, questioning the idealized narrative of a Lincoln-led progressive era, and consider Lincoln's legacy and character, ending with Tolstoy's high praise for the former president.