Final answer:
President Abraham Lincoln sought to heal the nation's wounds post-Civil War, urging reconciliation and outlining the Reconstruction process for the rapid reintegration of Southern states, closely associated with his vision of civil rights and democracy, ultimately leading to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Just a month before his assassination, President Abraham Lincoln spoke with the intent to heal the nation's wounds and unite the country after the divisive American Civil War. His address after the Confederate surrender invited all Americans, North and South, to set aside the bitterness and proceed with the important task of rebuilding the nation together. With a hope to bind the nation's heartaches and secure a just and lasting peace among ourselves, Lincoln envisioned a future of unity, where every citizen, irrespective of race, could enjoy the fruits of liberty and democracy.
Lincoln's ethos echoed deeply when, on March 4, 1861, he took the oath of office and extended an olive branch of reconciliation, urging the country to listen to 'the better angels of our nature'. This vision was amplified in his second inaugural address, where he hinted at reconstruction and the nation's obligation to former slaves, suggesting the expansion of voting rights to black men.
Throughout his presidency, culminating in a speech on April 11, 1865, Lincoln's unwavering commitment was directed towards the rapid reintegration of the Southern states, which he began with his ten percent plan. It carved the path for a generous reconciliation, despite opposition from Congress who found it too lenient. Lincoln's legacy, though cut short, paved the way for the later ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery and symbolized a cornerstone in American history toward civil equality.