Final answer:
Lincoln's policy after the Civil War was forgiving and lenient, focusing on reconciliation and reintegration of the Southern states into the Union.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the final battle of the Civil War at Appomattox, President Abraham Lincoln's position toward the South can best be described as forgiving and lenient. This is reflected in his policies and actions aimed at restoring the Union rather than punishing the Confederates. Lincoln supported measures such as the "Proclamation on Amnesty and Reconstruction," which set forth a lenient process for Confederate states to be readmitted to the Union. His approach was characterized by a desire to reconcile and reunify the nation, emphasizing healing over retribution.