How is the Battle of Gettysburg a turning point?

The battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) is considered the turning point of the Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee's defeat by the Army of the Potomac forced his Confederate forces to retreat; they never recovered. Lee was emboldened by his victory in Chancellorsville, Va. read more

Culminating within a day of each other, Gettysburg and Vicksburg respectively put Lee on the defensive in the East and opened the Mississippi in the West. read more

The Battle of Gettysburg, which resulted in very similar casualties on both sides, proved to Lee and his army that the Federal army was willing to incur any level of losses in order to stop the Confederates, and this realization provided a psychological shock to the Confederates--an important turning point in their belief in their invincibility. read more

The Battle of Gettysburg represented the final effort of General Robert E. Lee to invade the north. The Battle of Gettysburg represented the final effort of General Robert E. Lee to invade the north. He knew that if he could win major battles on northern soil, that the Confederacy would gain legitimacy and respect while damaging the Union resolve to fight. read more