Civil War Turning Point Essay

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The Civil War is one of the most significant events in American history and was a major threat to this newly developed nation. The nation who fought for independence now begin to split into two smaller factions known as The North and South. The North and South began to show their differences during the mid-1800’s, but began to show more drastic changes. As these changes grew, they began to develop into the tensions that eventually led to the American Civil War. The Civil War shaped our nation in what it is today, but just how did the North and South compare, in terms of resources, leadership, and military strategy, and how was Gettysburg seen as the turning point of the Civil War? In terms of resources, neither the North or the South were …show more content…

Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army had scored a victory over Chancellorsville. With high confidence, Lee decided to go on the offensive attack and invade the North. By attacking northern soil Lee hoped to gain recognition from Britain and France and kill the bring northern to come to peace. The Battle of Gettysburg is a significant battle for many reasons, but also because it was the turning point of the Civil War. Gettysburg for one, ended the Confederacy’s last full-scale invasion of the North. Lee’s army suddenly shifted from a full scale offense to a full scale defense and eventually crossed back into Virginia which caused the Confederacy never regain a push as into Union territory. The battle of Gettysburg also proved that the strong general Lee could actually be defeated. Lee’s impressive record of victories inspired trust within troops under his command and fear throughout the union. The Union had encountered a series of losses, and now Lee went to the offensive side of the war to their home territory. Another loss at Gettysburg could have destroyed Union hope and could have pushed the Union in to negotiate a peace between the two nations. Union’s victory at Gettysburg renewed support for the war to push on. Lee’s vision for victorious invasion of the North faded away, and on July fourth withdrew his defeated arm. The battle was a crushing defeat for the Confederacy. Union casualties were around 23,000, while the Confederates lost 28,000 more than half of Lee’s army. Lee gave resignation and the chance of any other strong victories, the Battle of Gettysburg turned the point of the Civil War in the Union’s

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