Turning Points of the Civil War: Antietam and Gettysburg

History helps us understand and learn about the turning points during the Civil war that made an impact in our country. One of this turning points was the battle of Antietam and Gettysburg. It was the bloodiest single day of fighting in American history with the death of 2,100 soldiers and 2,700 Confederates. In addition to that about 18,500 soldiers and Confederates were tragedy wounded. Even though it was not a military victory, it was surely a strategic defeat for the Confederacy.

The battle of Antietam was a turning point in the Civil War in many ways. One of which is the fact that this battle kept Lee from directly threatening northern industry and financial institutions. It also prompted Britain and France to abandon plans to grant recognition

to the Confederacy. Furthermore, it provided Abraham Lincoln with the opportunity to announce the abolition of slavery (Goldfield, Abbott, Anderson, Argersinger, Argersinger, Barney & Weir, p. 407).
Lee was convinced that the South was not in the condition to sustain a prolonged conflict. He crossed the Potomac into Maryland on his way to Pennsylvania Railroad at Harrisburg. Lee scattered his army with a sense of secureness that McClellan and the Army of Potomac would not attach him. However, McClelland found three wrapped cigars that belong to a Confederate officer. These cigars were actually a copy of Lee’s orders for the disposition of his armies. Even with this information, McClellan did not attack right away. He still proceeded with caution which allowed Lee to retreat and prepare to defend along the Antietam Creek which is where the name of the battle originated.
Even though Lincoln was opposed to slavery, his main priority was the union. Therefore, in order to keep the northern public united in support of the war, he was forced to side with the union and ignore slavery. With that said, resulting from the war, emancipation as a war objective was a topic of consideration in the Republican Congress, in the Union army, and among the citizens throughout the Northern states. With the purpose of eliminating the work force for the South and Confederate army, the Union army was much more supportive and pressuring the approval for emancipation.
Pressure by northern civilians, Union soldiers and Congress, the Republican Congress prohibited slavery in the territories and abolished slavery in the District of Columbia. This led to a compensation for slave owners as well as colonizing the freed slaves in black republics such as Haiti and Liberia. Furthermore, the Confiscating Act was passed ordering disloyal southerners for their lands and to free their slaves.
The battle of Gettysburg lasted about four years.

It is towards the last day of the battle that the results appeared much clear. The barely made victory was enough to motivate and encourage the Union armies to a string of victories over the next year and to throw Confederate forces back on their defenses among an increasingly despairing population. This battle was responsible for marking the last major southern invasion of the North in history. Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington were safe form the rebels of the North.

Furthermore, the northern evangelicals were impacted by this battle to the extent that they marked this event as a prophecy. A Baptist ministry announce this victory as one that will bring blessings and received with Hallelujahs. He went on to describe the event as the Millennium of political glory, the Sabbath if Liberty and the Jubilee of humanity. It is after this victory that Lincoln dedicated the Gettysburg cemetery declaring that because of the sacrifice and death of the many man, there will be a new birth of freedom. This battle completely changed the mood and morale of the North.

The battle of Antietam and Gettysburg were two important turning points in the Civil War. It allowed for slavery to end in the District of Chicago, gave birth to the Confiscation Act, freedom, motivation, content, and increase morale for the

North.