Key Events and Strategies of the American Civil War

Front

What was the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg?

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Considered a turning point in the Civil War, the Union army under General Meade defeated Robert E. Lee's Confederate forces in Pennsylvania, preventing further major Confederate incursions into the North.

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What was the outcome of the Vicksburg Campaign?

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Under General Grant, the Union captured Vicksburg, Mississippi, gaining control of the Mississippi River and significantly disrupting Confederate supply lines.

Front

What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

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Issued by President Lincoln in 1863, it shifted the war's focus to ending slavery, motivating more African Americans to join the Union cause.

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What was the Overland Campaign of 1864?

Back

A crucial phase in the Civil War, lasting approximately 40 days, featuring a showdown between Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant for the Union and Gen. Robert E. Lee for the Confederacy, characterized by relentless combat and strategic maneuvering.

Front

What was Grant's primary objective in the Overland Campaign?

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To neutralize Lee’s army by engaging in combat and focusing on defeating Lee’s forces rather than merely capturing territory.

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What was the result of the Overland Campaign?

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Lee’s army was pushed into defensive positions around Petersburg and Richmond, setting the stage for the Confederacy's eventual collapse.

Front

Where did Lee surrender to General Grant?

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Appomattox Court House

Front

Were the terms of the surrender harsh or generous that General Grant offered to Lee?

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Generous - Men would be fed and could keep their horses