COMMONLIT
Discussion Questions
Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared to share
your original ideas in a class discussion.
1.
Imagine you became the President after President Lincoln was assassinated. What would have
been your goals? How would your actions have been similar or different to the actions chosen by
President Johnson? Explain.
2.
Why do you think Reconstruction failed to make lasting change towards racial equality in the
South? What elements of postwar racial inequality can we still see in society today? How do we fight
against these towards a more equal society for all?