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To What Extent Was The Battle Of Gettysburg A Turning Point Dbq

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Where nine roads meet sits Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a small town unheard of to the common man, but not for much longer. The Battle of Gettysburg, which spanned over three days in July of 1863, will change the direction of the Civil War forever. This is the turning point; where power will shift from the Confederacy to the Union. The Union troops have dug into the hills and the Confederacy is coming in on the offensive, riding high on previous wins, but in this battle, the defense reigns victorious. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the war due to massive casualties, geography of the town of Gettysburg, and pivotal shifts in morale. Gettysburg will result in the largest casualty rates of the Civil War. Amongst these large numbers, …show more content…

The morale of the South has weakened after they have to retreat out of Gettysburg. In a letter to Jefferson Davis, Lee writes, “I [...] request Your Excellency to take measures to supply my place. [...] No one is more aware than myself of my inability for the duties of my position” (Doc. C). General Lee has given up on himself and is asking to be replaced as Commander in Chief of the Confederate Army. If he is no longer in charge, the Southerners will lose their greatest leader and most powerful weapon. Also, as the spirits of the Confederates weaken, the Union morale is on the rise. After a large victory at Gettysburg the Union is more unified than ever. After the battle, the “Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln stated the great cause which united the Union soldiers for one cause. He declared, “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us [...] that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom” (Doc. D). Through this Address, the North has a reignited cause; to complete the mission of those who died for it and defend freedom for all. The Union has come together as one to win this war for their fallen comrades. This is the most uplifting cause they could fight for, and it sparks a fire in them to defeat the Confederacy. Through an enormous morale shift, the North has turned the course of the war in their

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