Civil War Turning Point Essay

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

prepared for such a massive civil war. Northern cities were centers of wealth, manufacturing, and skilled workers; while southern cities were centers for large scale agriculture were many people many a living of the selling of tobacco, sugarcane, rice and cotton. The South's agricultural foundation was beginning to stabilize while the Northern manufacturing industries were experiencing a boom. For preparing for war the North had the upper hand for their strong factory systems in place, and the South should have had an abundant amount of supply of food. The North also had stable finances and an existing government to lead a Civil War. The North was more urbanized making it more densely populated but still fell short in terms of population compare to the South. The North was able to assembly more men, while the South struggled to maintain vital resources. The North had a stronger transportation system, in the use of railroads, which benefited them greatly. The railway made the transportation of armies easier to a degree that was previously unimaginable. Their development completely altered the entire concept of overseeing an army's. Although it seemed like the North had a bigger advantage and was more powerful, due to its more industrialized resources, it was not the clear winner.
The next drastic difference between the North and South was their use of leadership and military strategy. The South had strong, experienced leadership under generals such as Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. Both generals had impressive skills in making tactics, having knowledge, and making tough decisions. The North also had strong military leadership under Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman who both graduated from the military academy at West Point. One of the difficult problems faced during the Civil War was the use of old military strategy combined will modern weaponry to create ineffective tactics and high levels of war by attrition. William Sherman expressed these thoughts through one of his most famous quote of “war is hell.” Technology outperformed the gentleman’s war causing many more casualties than ever seen before. Both sides re-wrote military strategy to account for all aspects of modern technology ever developed. In terms of strategy the South had the goal of independence, so they were on the defensive side of The Civil War. Meanwhile the North objective was to unite the South with the Union once again, so they played the offensive side while trying to conquer this uprising. The North showed the world how strong industry and support can offset valor and other military qualities.
The Battle of Gettysburg, lasted from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is considered the most brutal and significant engagement of the Civil War.

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

favor.