Select two of the following:
Battles of Antietam, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, or Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House
1. Explain the significant of the event (2pts)
2. Provide details examples (2pts)
You must explain with details for both events you select.
1. Gettysburg: The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1-3, 1863, was a turning point in the American Civil War. It is considered one of the most significant battles in American history and marked the beginning of the end for the Confederacy.
2. The Battle of Gettysburg was a three-day battle that took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It resulted in the largest number of casualties of the entire war, with an estimated 50,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. The Union Army, under the command of General George Meade, successfully defended against General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army, leading to a decisive victory for the Union. This victory boosted morale for the Union army and marked the first major defeat for Lee's forces.
3. Appomattox Court House: Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, effectively ended the American Civil War. It was a significant event because it signified the formal surrender of the Confederacy and brought about the reunification of the country.
4. In the days leading up to Lee's surrender, the Union Army, under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant, had surrounded Lee's forces near Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Lee realized that further resistance was futile and decided to surrender rather than continue the fight. The terms of surrender were generous, allowing Confederate soldiers to return home with their horses and personal belongings. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House symbolized the end of the Confederacy and the beginning of the reunification process for the United States.