Civil War Quiz

Where were the first shots of the Civil War fired?

• Gettysburg

• Fort Sumter

• Antietam

• Bull Run

What event marked the beginning of the Civil War?

• Battle of Gettysburg

• Battle of Antietam

• Bombardment of Fort Sumter

• Battle of Bull Run

How long did the Battle of Shiloh last?

• One day

• Two days

• Three days

• Four days

Who was the Union General at the Battle of Antietam?

• General Lee

• General Grant

• General McClellan

• General Sherman

Approximately how many casualties were there at the Battle of Antietam?

• 10,000

• 15,000

• 22,000

• 30,000

Did the Union Army follow the South after the Battle of Antietam?

• Yes

• No

• Only partially

• They were undecided

What was General Lee's objective in the Battle of Gettysburg?

• To gain a Confederate victory on Northern soil

• To retreat to the South

• To negotiate peace with the Union

• To capture Washington D.C.

Who led the Union Army on a march through the South toward Atlanta, Georgia, on November 15, 1864?

• General Robert E. Lee

• General Ulysses S. Grant

• General William Tecumseh Sherman

• General George McClellan

What was the main objective of Sherman's March to the Sea?

• To capture Washington D.C.

• To destroy Confederate resources

• To negotiate peace

• To build new railroads

The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, was a pivotal moment in the American Civil War. It marked the largest battle of the conflict, with over 165,000 soldiers engaged, and resulted in a decisive Union victory under the command of General George G. Meade. The battle took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his Army of Northern Virginia into the North, hoping to pressure the Union into negotiating peace. However, the Union forces held strong defensive positions, culminating in the infamous Pickett's Charge on the final day, where Confederate forces suffered devastating losses. The Union's triumph at Gettysburg ended Lee's invasion and crippled the Confederate army, from which it never fully recovered. Coupled with the fall of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, the Union gained significant momentum. President Abraham Lincoln later honored the fallen soldiers in his iconic Gettysburg Address, reaffirming the nation's commitment to freedom and unity. Gettysburg is widely regarded as the turning point of the Civil War, shifting the tide firmly in favor of the Union and ultimately leading to the Confederacy's defeat.

Read the passage above and respond to the question

What made Gettysburg a turning point?