Unsolved History Season 2 Episode 8 Plots to Kill Lincoln

In the season 2 episode 8 of Unsolved History, titled "Plots to Kill Lincoln", viewers are taken on a fascinating journey through the various plots to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.

The episode begins by exploring some of the earliest known plots against the President, including the so-called "Trent Affair" and a plan by a group of disenchanted soldiers to kidnap Lincoln and hold him for ransom. The show examines how both of these schemes were ultimately foiled, but how they nonetheless set the stage for more serious attempts on the president's life.

From there, the episode delves into the infamous Booth conspiracy and the circumstances that led up to John Wilkes Booth deciding to take matters into his own hands. Tragic and dark as it may be, the assassination of Lincoln remains a subject of endless fascination for many Americans, and "Plots to Kill Lincoln" does an excellent job of exploring the conspiracies that surrounded the event.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the episode is the way it dissects the various motives of the men who plotted against Lincoln. Some were Southern sympathizers who believed that killing the president would help bring an end to the war and allow the Confederacy to triumph. Others were hostile to Lincoln for more personal reasons, such as a perceived snub or insult. And still others appear to have been motivated by greed, believing that they could make money by taking the president hostage or collecting a reward for his capture.

Despite the many moving parts involved in the various plots against Lincoln, the episode is well-organized and easy to follow. Viewers are given a clear sense of the timeline of events and how the different conspiracies intersected with one another.

The show also does an excellent job of using primary source material, including letters, diaries, and government documents, to shed light on the attitudes and motivations of the conspirators. Throughout the episode, we hear from historians, Civil War experts, and even descendants of some of the key players, who offer valuable insights into the personalities and desires of the men who plotted to kill Lincoln.

One of the most powerful moments of "Plots to Kill Lincoln" comes when the show details the failed attempt by Lewis Powell to kill Secretary of State William Seward on the same night that Booth shot Lincoln. The episode includes a harrowing reenactment of Powell's attack on Seward's home, which is both chilling and awe-inspiring.

Ultimately, "Plots to Kill Lincoln" succeeds in providing a clear and engaging overview of the many conspiracies against the president. While the episode certainly doesn't provide any definitive answers about what really happened on that fateful night in 1865, it does a fantastic job of helping viewers understand the context and motivations behind the assassination.

Overall, "Plots to Kill Lincoln" is a well-researched and engaging hour of television that will be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about one of the most critical episodes in American history.