ID: Battle of Gettysburg
When: July 1-3, 1863
Who:
- Union: General George Meade and the Army of the Potomac
- Confederate: General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia
What:
A pivotal battle of the American Civil War fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It involved three days of intense fighting between Union and Confederate forces. The battle culminated in a decisive Union victory, marking a turning point in the war.
Impact: Why Significant?:
- Turning Point: The Battle of Gettysburg marked the beginning of the end for the Confederacy. It crippled Lee’s army and forced him to retreat back to Virginia.
- Union Momentum: The victory boosted Union morale and strengthened the resolve to continue the war.
- Increased Casualties: Both sides suffered significant casualties, highlighting the immense human cost of the war.
- Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: Delivered on November 19, 1863, Lincoln’s famous speech redefined the purpose of the war as a fight for freedom and equality, solidifying the importance of the Union victory.
- Strategic Significance: Gettysburg stopped Lee’s invasion of the North, preventing a major victory for the Confederates and ultimately leading to the Union’s success.