Reconstruction: A FailureThe Civil War was probably the greatest tragedy this country has ever faced. Years of constant arguing, compromise, and cynical views about slavery pushed this so-called "United Nations" into an excruciating collision between Northern abolitionists and Southern slave farmers and plantation owners. The nation suffered enormous economic losses and entered a downward spiral. The reconstruction period began with many leaders mobilizing to try to repair the crippled country, but the results did not pan out as everyone hoped. Slavery remained the most important issue, and reconstruction was halted due to the disagreements the population faced. After many years of work, compromise and passing laws, the task proved impossible as the country remained to be separated. The lack of unity was present because most of the amendments, laws, and rules passed during Reconstruction were intended to protect and secure the rights of African Americans. However, the South continued to promote slavery and "putting black people in their place" until the 1950s. President Lincoln was elected president at a horrible time for the country, but he nonetheless fought to do your best. After the Civil War, Lincoln's main goal was to rebuild the North while keeping the South happy. His plans were to make the reconstruction of the North a focal point and distribute 10% of the damage caused to the South to help with its reconstruction. President Lincoln believed that states that seceded last should be less culpable than those that seceded first. He gave Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia more money and he treated them better because they were the last to secede. Adding to his reconstruction plans were the Radical Republicans, who constituted a small minority in Congress. They were very strict about granting all rights to African Americans and wanted to punish the South. All of these ideas and plans for Lincoln were all good ideas and could have been successful, but they came to an abrupt end when Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in 1865. After the tragedy of Lincoln's death, Vice President Andrew Johnson intervened. presidential position and launched his own reconstruction plans; his too would prove to be a failure. He supported hardline democratic principles and the restoration of Southern power. He reinstated the remaining states into the constitution. He