why was lincoln unable to encourage congress to accept his reconstruction plan?
There were several reasons why Lincoln was unable to encourage Congress to accept his reconstruction plan:
1. Opposition from Radical Republicans: Radical Republicans in Congress, led by Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, believed Lincoln's plan was too lenient towards the Southern states. They wanted harsher punishment for the former Confederates and guarantees of civil rights for freed slaves.
2. Political differences: Lincoln, a moderate Republican, often clashed with the more radical members of his party in Congress. They disagreed on the best way to reunite the country and rebuild the Southern states.
3. Personal animosity: Many members of Congress had personal animosity towards Lincoln, leading them to reject his proposals out of spite.
4. Assassination: Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865, just a few days after the Civil War ended. His death left a leadership vacuum and further complicated the process of reconstruction.
Overall, these factors contributed to the failure of Lincoln's reconstruction plan to gain acceptance in Congress.