Question

sic semper tyrannis means thus always to tyrants. why did booth shout this about lincoln?
he thought the confederacy had a right to secede.
he thought lincoln would begin more wars to gain more power.
he thought both the confederate leaders and lincoln were dictators.
he thought lincoln should have used more force to defeat the confederacy.
done
the desperado john wilkes booth managed to escape from the house, and was prepared for escape by having a horse at the door. he immediately mounted the horse, and sung out the motto of the state of virginia, sic semper tyrannis! and rode off. ~new york herald, april 15, 1865

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: The motto "Sic semper tyrannis" (thus always to tyrants) relates to opposing tyranny. Booth's view of Lincoln and Confederate leaders as dictators (tyrants) aligns with shouting this. The idea of secession right doesn't directly connect to the motto's anti - tyrant meaning.
• Option 2: There's no indication Booth thought Lincoln would start more wars for power. The motto is about opposing tyranny, not war for power.
• Option 3: Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, likely saw both Confederate leaders (in his view, wrongly oppressed) and Lincoln (as a tyrant to the South) as dictators. Shouting the motto fits this view of opposing tyrants (Lincoln and in his twisted view, how Lincoln treated Confederate leaders).
• Option 4: Booth was a Confederate supporter and wanted to help the Confederacy, so he wouldn't think Lincoln should use more force against it.

Answer:

C. He thought both the Confederate leaders and Lincoln were dictators.