Virginia SOL USII.2.a
The Standard
describing the impact of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the political aftermath of the Civil War
Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain how Lincoln’s assassination shifted leadership to Andrew Johnson and disrupted plans for reunion. They trace how disagreements between Johnson and Congress led to stricter Reconstruction policies and Johnson’s impeachment.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can place the assassination, Johnson’s presidency, congressional Reconstruction, and impeachment in order. They can explain cause and effect without claiming that impeachment removed Johnson from office.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Lincoln was killed before the Confederate surrender or that his death ended Reconstruction. They may also confuse impeachment with removal and assume Johnson and Congress supported the same policies.
How to Assess It
- Ask students to complete: “Lincoln’s assassination changed Reconstruction because…” Require two accurate events and one clear cause-and-effect link.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have pairs arrange event cards for Lincoln’s assassination, Johnson taking office, congressional Reconstruction, impeachment, and Senate acquittal, then add cause-and-effect arrows.
Ask students to write: How might Reconstruction have differed if Lincoln had lived, and what evidence supports your claim?
Play a policy sort where teams label proposals as Lincoln, Johnson, or Congress, then justify each choice using a fact card.
Use the presidential succession chart to explain why Johnson became president and how sudden leadership changes can alter government policy.
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Related Standards
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- VS.7.b
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describing major political texts during the war including, but not limited to Lincoln’s Inaugural Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address...
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