Union forces were pursuing a three-pronged attack on the South in early 1865, with General Grant pursuing General Lee towards Richmond, General Sheridan destroying crops in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley to cut off the Confederate food supply, and General Sherman marching through Georgia to the coast, destroying everything in his path. This context of the Union gaining the upper hand in the war likely influenced Lincoln's second inaugural address and his goal of a lenient reconstruction policy towards the defeated South.

1. Lincoln's Second Inaugural Too Much? Not Enough? Just Right?

3. What's Going On? Union army three pronged attack on South Grant pursues Lee and tries to capture Richmond (Confederate capital)

4. Sheridan destroys the crops in the Shenandoah Valley (VA) to cut off Confederate food supply

5. Sherman marches from Chattanooga, TN to the coast of Georgia, laying waste to all in his path