What was one of the consequences of Lincoln's assassination?

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, had profound implications for the United States, one of which was the ascendance of Andrew Johnson to the presidency. Johnson, who was Lincoln’s vice president at the time, took office immediately following Lincoln’s death. His presidency marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the country, particularly concerning Reconstruction efforts following the Civil War.

Johnson's approach to Reconstruction differed from Lincoln’s more lenient plan. He aimed to quickly restore the Southern states to the Union with minimal requirements, which ultimately led to tensions between him and Congress. This change in leadership had lasting effects on the direction in which the country would go, including the implementation of policies that favored the South and the subsequent opposition from Congress, which sought more rigorous means to ensure civil rights and reconstruct the Southern states.

The other options do not reflect the immediate aftermath of Lincoln's assassination as directly as the succession of Johnson. Reconstruction continued but faced many challenges and alterations due to Johnson's policies, the Confederate States had already been formed prior to Lincoln's assassination, and slavery was not abolished immediately; the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery, was passed later in December 1865. Therefore, the transition of power to Andrew Johnson