John Wilkes Booth. The name is synonymous with one of the most tragic events in American history: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. But who was this man, beyond the act that defined him? Join us as we delve into the life of John Wilkes Booth, the celebrated stage actor and fervent Confederate sympathizer whose radical views led him down a dark path.
In this video, we explore the intricate web of events leading up to that fateful night at Ford’s Theatre. Discover the motivations behind Booth’s desperate conspiracy, from his deep-seated hatred for Lincoln to his misguided belief that the assassination would resurrect the Confederate cause. We’ll follow his frantic twelve-day escape, a harrowing journey across Maryland and Virginia, as the largest manhunt in American history closed in on him. Learn about the surprising details of his capture and the enduring mysteries surrounding his death. From his early fame to his final moments, this is the complete story of John Wilkes Booth—the actor, the assassin, and the man who forever changed the course of a nation. Don’t miss this deep dive into the historical figure behind the most infamous political murder in U.S. history.
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If you are interested in other Confederate History, watch our related biographies below.
1. Jefferson Davis https://youtu.be/2n49Go6jht4
2. James Longstreet https://youtu.be/zFizonxgWbs
3. Stonewall Jackson https://youtu.be/3LdgZqt0j84
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JWB was a hero
I think he was more of a coward
The Paranormal: John F. Kennedy and John Wilkes Boothe
Abraham Lincoln was elected to congress in 1846. John F. Kennedy (JFK) was elected to congress in 1946.
Both Lincoln and JFK were concerned with civil rights.
Both wife’s lost children while in the White House.
Both JFK and Lincoln were shot on a Friday and in the head.
Lincolns secretary was named Kennedy and JFK’s secretary was named Lincoln.
Both were assassinated by southerners.
Both were succeeded by southerners named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald was born in 1939.
John Wilks Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald had 15 letters in their names.
Lincoln was shot at the theater named Ford. Kennedy was sitting in a Ford sedan when he was shot. Both Wilkes and Oswald were shot before their trials.
The week before Lincoln was assassinated he was with in Maryland.
Kennedy, the week before was with Marilyn Monroe.
Wilkes fled to warehouse. Kennedy was shot from a warehouse.
John Wilkes Booth ran from a movie theater and Lee Harvey Oswald ran into a movie theater.
NOTE: I DO NOT KNOW THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE.
Lead box in sassafras cove
That wasn’t his last words. He had his hands brought up so he could see them and said useless, useless!
10 years too late. Lincoln should have never been in office. A warmongering marxist
Excellent video! So much controversy as to whether JWB was the man who died there. The vertebrae held by the US government at the Navy Yard could provide the answer.
Just look at our country ya NOW. There should be statues in every city in the country for Booth.!!!
He was an actor. 😂 figures!
The Background and Early Life of John Wilkes Booth at 1:27
11/30/1852 at 18:31
Booth at the start of the Civil War at 32:10
Booth kill Lincoln and on the run at 56:31
The Death of Booth at 1:09:40
A hero we need today more than ever before.
Ironic enough read once that his brother Edwin saved Robert Lincoln when he almost fell out of a train by grabbing him by the shoulder and dragged him back in. Robert mentioned the story in 1909 but, couldn't recall the date was either late 1864 or early 1865. He said he knew it was Edwin since he was a known actor.
Called the Handsomenst Man in America.
Junius and Andrew Jackson were personal friends,and eventually friends with Edwin Booth.
Please do an episode on Abraham Lincoln, and maybe William Tecumseh Sherman?
If John Wilkes Booth had, previous to this tragedy, found JESUS as his LORD & Savior; how different things would have been!!
Slavery was the core issue — the reason secession documents, speeches, and Confederate leaders themselves gave for leaving the Union. The “it wasn’t about slavery” line is usually a form of revisionism, either out of ignorance or to protect a more flattering memory of the Confederacy
As a descendant of Slaves, I often wonder what the country would be today had Lincoln been able to send the enslaved out of America as intended once they were freed. What immigration would be like today, and how guarded the Country's demographics would be.
Lincoln died by a play from his own book. He conspired to kill Davis and his cabinet and burn Richmond to ground. Dahlgren Kilpatrick Affair was covert plan by Lincoln. Butler failed two weeks before, Kilpatrick enters and Lincoln has him bring Dahlgren in. Look it up! He died by his medicine.
Maryland was not considered a slave State it was a slave state down to its core.
If only he could be brought back to life to repeat
I got quite excited when Reading in the UK was mentioned as I lived there for 50 years!
There is no state of Philadelphia
Strange NOBODY mentions the BOTHES…
Shakespearing aKtors whom changed their names to
BOOTH and had interactions with Bnai Brith and serving bankers in Britain
In stoking war here…
Lincoln didn't enter office as an abolitionist. Also, emancipation only applied to rebel states occupied by federal troops.
Lincoln was a genocidsl maniac.
I’m sorry, but I’ve had my hand next to my pistol ready for draw for far less. Not out of being trigger happy but for knowledge of how fast things can happen. 3 of y’all and just one of you couldn’t have at least concealed a hunting blade?
Also just to clarify, umm the northern states like Massachusetts, new york, and Philadelphia? Philadelphia is not a state dum dum
Thank you for this❤
Booth was shot. Thebullet severed the spinal cord in the neck. Shot by Union Army Sgt. Boston Corbett ( Corbett was a truly, truly strange man. Look him up! It is worth the read!) The bullet entered his neck near the 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae severing his spinal cord. As a nurse I know Booth didn’t have long to live! This caused immediate paralysis and in about 2-3 hours his death. Booth’s last words? “Useless, useless!” Not sure what he meant! Booth was an evil man who took from our nation the greatest president ever. He did this to satisfy his great hate for Lincoln as well as his warped political beliefs!
JWB did the right thing. Lysander spooner was correct in his constitution of no consent writings
I know very little of the American Civil War.
I knew of the name of the man that assassinated Lincoln.
But I now know his story.
Great work on the documentary.
Mudd placed a splint on Booth’s leg.
Very good video and documentary, well done guys. Such a chilling story.
Well done, I visited the Surratt Tavern last year, it's truly sad the revisionist history they promote there.
This guy asssinated Yankee president
I know someone that's related to John Wilkes Booth…family never really 🤫 on it 😏
Presided over the most violent and vile conflict in American history his fate was poetic justice.
Lincoln had every opportunity to avoid war and end slavery but he allowed the southern democrats and his own party to perpetrate the same scumbag greedy, selfish, jealous BS that we see today.
We are all tied to a livelihood, the South was being forced out of an economic reality, the antebellum, established for over 50 years, with no incentives or compensation and since the 1830's taxes & tarrifs 45% and upwards. Lincoln needed to lure the South into history-away from slavery-retain the union, through diplomacy, not war. He was given every chance to lead and failed- all sides. If you go back into the minutes of congress during that time, you'll hear the voices of the same morons on both sides of the ailse that we hear today. No leadership. Both sides failed.
DC should be turned into one big museum or amusement park and the business of the country should be moved to a place like Omaha, Nebraska. Our politicians should shut the hell up, Vote the conscience of their constituents, then go home.
700,000 dead Americans 'the greatest American president' give me an F'n break.
1:25 if you want the normal intro
Didn't know that Mudd was that involved in the plot.
Not a fan of Lincoln myself (and I’m a descendant of slaves) so curious to learn a bit more about his killer because I never bothered to look into Booth that much.
why do all these assassins have Brutus related to they name? if u around a dude named Brutus, stay away.
“Northern states like Massachusetts, New York and Philadelphia”
Ken Burns you are not.
So is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking?! 🤔🤫🤣🤣🤣
Can y'all do one on Merlin and King Arthur?
WATCHING FROM GUYANA!! JOHN WILKES BOOTH WAS SIMPLE SEEKING TO BECOME FAMOUS WHICH EVENTUALLY DID HAPPEN