Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate supporter, due to Booth's opposition to Lincoln's policies and the idea of black citizenship. Lincoln's death resulted in mourning and national hysteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, on April 14, 1865. The primary motive behind the assassination was Booth's unwavering support for the Confederacy and his opposition to the idea of black citizenship, which he perceived as a threat to white supremacy. Lincoln was shot while attending a play at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries the following morning, causing widespread mourning and hysteria across the North. Booth's act was part of a larger conspiracy aiming to revive the Confederate cause by eliminating key Union leaders.