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.
Battles of Antietam:
1. The Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was a significant event during the American Civil War as it marked the bloodiest single-day battle in American history and led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln.
2. On September 17, 1862, Union and Confederate forces clashed near Antietam Creek in Maryland. The battle resulted in over 23,000 casualties, with both sides suffering heavy losses. Despite the high cost, the Union army was able to secure a tactical victory, which bolstered morale and allowed President Lincoln to announce the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate territory would be freed.
Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House:
1. The surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, marked the effective end of the Civil War and represented a significant turning point in American history.
2. After a series of defeats and setbacks, General Lee was forced to surrender his Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. The terms of surrender were generous, allowing Confederate soldiers to return home with their personal belongings and provisions. This act of magnanimity by General Grant helped facilitate the reunification of the country and set the stage for the eventual end of the Civil War. The surrender at Appomattox Court House signified the beginning of the end of the Confederacy and paved the way for the formal end of the war a few months later.