One of President Lincoln’s first major goals for Reconstruction was to restore the Union quickly and healingly after the Civil War.
Lincoln believed that the longer the country remained divided, the harder it would be to mend the wounds that had been inflicted. He aimed to bring the Southern states back into the fold with minimal punishment and a focus on reconciliation. This approach was evident in his Ten Percent Plan, which stated that if 10% of voters in a southern state swore an oath of allegiance to the Union, that state could quickly form a new government and regain its status in the Union.
This plan reflected Lincoln’s belief in forgiveness and his intention to focus on rebuilding relationships rather than seeking retribution. His overarching goal was to unify the country and create a lasting peace, setting the stage for the policies that would guide Reconstruction in the years following his assassination.