What if history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What if history - Essay Example Abraham Lincoln occupies the most elevated place in the pantheon of American presidents and consistent polls show him occupying the first place in the ranks of most popular Presidents in the USA. On the basis of his leadership qualities, accomplishments, dealing with crises, political skills, oratory, upright character, he towers above all others, by any measure that is applied. Lincoln had promised the southerners a magnanimous peace, marked by charity to one and all. But this Reconstruction plan was derailed by his assassination. If Lincoln had not been killed, just after being re-elected, he would have led the nation forward with his exemplary zeal. He was a man who stood on principles and was not guided by public opinion. After his death, the leaders of the North became vindictive towards the fallen south. They imposed laws which crippled the Southern States, economy, polity as well as society. The Black Codes Bill of 1866-1867 was also passed, which forbade slaves from owning land or leaving their present employment. His successor Johnson vetoed the Freedmens Bureau as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1866 which gave blacks the right to vote. Most historians agree that such punishment as was meted out to the Southerners would not have seen the light of day under the stewardship of Lincoln Jan 1st 1863, that freed slaves in the Confederate states. But to the misfortune of the slaves, the man who would lead them to complete freedom was gunned down. It is a most compelling motion, that had Lincoln been alive, after the surrender of General Lee, the integration of African-American, or the slaves, into the mainstream would have been quicker and absolute. The Affirmative Action policy of the 20th century would not have been required, because Lincoln was emphatic that all human beings should be treated as equals. Lincoln has been hailed as the