#23 ESSAY QUESTION 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.
I will choose the Battles of Gettysburg and Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
The Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1-3, 1863, was one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War. It marked a turning point in the war and is often considered the Union's greatest victory. The significance of the Battle of Gettysburg lies in its role in halting Confederate General Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North and preventing the Confederacy from achieving a major victory on Union soil.
During the Battle of Gettysburg, Union forces under the command of General George Meade successfully defended their positions against Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. The battle resulted in a high number of casualties on both sides, with over 50,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. The Union victory at Gettysburg boosted morale in the North and dealt a significant blow to the Confederacy, leading to a shift in momentum in the war.
On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate forces to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Lee's surrender marked the effective end of the American Civil War and signaled the Confederacy's defeat. The surrender at Appomattox Court House is significant as it represented the culmination of four years of bloody conflict and marked the beginning of the nation's reconciliation and reconstruction.
The surrender at Appomattox Court House was a symbol of the Confederacy's acceptance of defeat and marked the beginning of the reunification of the United States. The terms of surrender were generous, with Grant allowing Lee's men to keep their horses and arms and providing them with food rations. This gesture of respect and reconciliation helped to ease tensions and pave the way for the country's healing and reconstruction after the war.
In conclusion, both the Battle of Gettysburg and Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House were significant events in the American Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg halted Confederate momentum and boosted Union morale, while Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House marked the end of the war and the beginning of the nation's healing and reunification. These events played crucial roles in shaping the outcome of the war and setting the stage for the post-war era in American history.