Why Was The Civil War A Turning Point

Primarily the American Civil War’s most pinnacle turning point was Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation at Antietam 1962, although Gettysburg’s provides a close second, whilst minor battles such as Atlanta and Lincoln’s re-election provide substance to the cause that indeed this war was not inevitable. It is Important to note that the war did not start as a war to abolish slavery but something that developed later after the most pinnacle turning point took them on a path of no return. Throughout the essay it will determine not only that the war was not inevitable but also which turning point was most significant in the whole war. Economic impacts from the civil war on the Greens bank helped further explain the significance of each key event.

Gettysburg was even more so crucial for it was the last battle ever to be fought in the north. This gives greater emphasis as a turning point because it symbolises the lack of action in the north thereafter. Vicksburg, although underrated, gave further emphasis as a key turning point because it meant that for the first time the Unionist had control of Mississippi under Ulysses S. Grant (July 4, 1863) “and so the severing of the western from the eastern part of the Confederacy” . Crucial to the Civil War was Gettysburg; the Emancipation Proclamation meant nothing if the battles hadn’t brought results. Thus the turn of the Civil War can be seen through battles and more prominently general Grant. Lincoln’s speech “Fourscore and seven years ago…” at the Gettysburg address also gives greater significance as a key turning point in the War, for it rallied the troops – it gave momentum. Kirsten Willard comments on the economic findings stating that “the Greenback depreciated until the Union victories of the summer of 1863” . This is significant as it meant that economically it defined a confidence in the war that it would be over soon. Lee’s failure in the counter-offensive which essentially gave the upper hand back to the North impacted Gettysburg’s as a turning point. Lee had lost “twenty-eight thousand men…and forbade any further attempts to win Southern independence” . Therefore the battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg were greatly significant as a turning point in the war as it increased pressure on the Southern military leaders and forced them into mistakes that could have given the Confederates a