What made the battles at ANTIETAM and Gettysburg different from the other battles illustrated on this map?
The battles at Antietam and Gettysburg were different from the other battles illustrated on the map in several ways.
1. Antietam and Gettysburg were major battles that took place on Union soil, rather than in the Confederate heartland. This made them significant in terms of the overall war effort and the impact they had on the civilian population.
2. Both Antietam and Gettysburg were turning points in the Civil War. The Battle of Antietam was the single bloodiest day in American history, with over 23,000 casualties, and ended the Confederate Army's first invasion into the North. The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the war, as the Confederate Army was forced to retreat back into the South, resulting in a major strategic victory for the Union.
3. The battles at Antietam and Gettysburg were also notable for their strategic significance. Antietam prevented the Confederate Army from gaining foreign recognition and support, while Gettysburg effectively ended General Robert E. Lee's second invasion of the North and put an end to his ambitions for a Confederate victory.
4. Both battles also had significant political implications. The Union victory at Antietam led to President Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, while the Union victory at Gettysburg helped secure Lincoln's re-election and ensured the continued prosecution of the war towards a Union victory.