Which statement is the BEST description of how the assassination of Abraham Lincoln impacted Reconstruction policies in the South?
A) Abraham Lincoln's assassination had little effect on Reconstruction policies in the south.
B) Following Lincoln's assassination in 1865, the Reconstruction of the south went very smoothly, quickly, and peacefully.
C) Instead of the lenient plan proposed by Abraham Lincoln, the southern states faced harsh, punishing policies under Andrew Johnson and the Radical Republicans.
D) Instead of the harsh, punishing policies proposed by Abraham Lincoln, the southern states faced forgiving and lenient policies under Andrew Johnson and the Radical Republicans.