The Current Shifts

The battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in the war for several reasons. One reason it was the turning point in the war is because there was so many casualties on both sides. This is such a large factor because the Union only lost 2% of their army while the Confederates lost 8%. The Confederates were not only outnumbered but they were also they were running low on supplies supplies by the end of this battle. After the battle of Gettysburg the Confederacy was low on supplies and the Union was making it harder to resupply the guns and ammo by cutting off the Confederates trade and  railroads. The final reason that Gettysburg was the turning point is the Confederates were losing their morale. Meaning that they were losing their will to fight the war.

Although total war was looked down upon by many because it is destructive and violent, I believe that it was just for the Union to do it. By destroying their farms, houses and transportation they were not only destroying the Confederates supply of food and revenue, but the Confederates will to fight them. Since the Union did decide to put total war into effect, the war not only ended sooner, but with a lot less casualties. All in all it was just for Grant, Sheridan, and Sherman to conduct total war.

After the war both sides had different reactions. After the war was over most in the North were very happy while others broke down. There were fireworks in Washington to celebrate the victory. Also after the war Abraham Lincoln played Dixy to celebrate the end of the war.The Southerners reaction however was the exact opposite. Not only did they lose the war, but they were coming homing to looted and pillaged homes, factories, and farms. The south felt sad that they had lost, but were relieved that the war was over. The South reacted by honoring General Lee for his time in battle. Both the Union and Confederate soldiers were exhausted mentally and physically and now had to go home and try to adjust to normal life. Although the Civil war was over the Confederacy had one final attack, the assassination of Lincoln. Once they had assassinated him, Lincoln's followers were furious. They found John Wilkes Booth and his accomplices and hung them for their crimes against the United States. The loss of their president made the north go into a state of mourning. All in all the civil war was a success for the Union, but came at the cost of their great leaders life.



http://www.edline.net/files/_zJGlm_/e138f1107c0f1a0f3745a49013852ec4/Activity_7_-_The_Tide_Turns_Class_Notes.pdf.

http://www.edline.net/files/_zGHaC_/af6d0e7ca09b73443745a49013852ec4/Gettysburg_DBQ_-_Student_Version.pdf


http://www.edline.net/files/_zJGmH_/73806d67d37ac8b83745a49013852ec4/Lincolns_Assassination_Document_Analysis.pdf