Gettysburg: Turning Point of the Civil War What is a ‘turning point’? It’s when the momentum changes from in favor of one side and switches to the other side

Why did Lee change his strategy & invade the North in 1863? The Union blockade of the South was very effective as it was causing severe shortages of essential goods The Union army under U.S. Grant was very successful in the West: In 1862, he captures Fort Henry & Fort Donelson keeping Kentucky in the Union & opening Tennessee to up to invasion and wins at Shiloh splitting Tennessee in half. By 1863, Grant was laying siege to Vicksburg, Miss. If Grant captured Vicksburg the Union would have total control of the Mississippi River and would divide the Confederacy in half.

Lee’s Plan Based off of his success at Fredericksburg (Dec. 1862) & Chancellorsville (May 1863), Lee believed his army was invincible. He planned to invade the North, which would take the pressure off of Vicksburg and the West by forcing the Union to move troops back to the East. He planned to march into Pennsylvania, wins a few major battles and then swing south to capture Washington, D.C. Once Washington was captured the Union would have to recognize the Confederacy and the war would be over.

Battle of Gettysburg: July 1-July 3, 1863 July 1 st - Rebels looking for shoes clash with the Union. Rebels successful drive the Yankees back through the town; however, they failed to take Culp’s Hill southeast of the town. 1 st day winner Confederates July 2 nd - The Union Army has set up a line of defense in the shape of a fish hook with Culp’s Hill anchoring the northern end of the line while it extends south to Little Round Top. The Confederates try attacking each end of the line as they try and flank the Union army. The Union army successful repeals each attack. 2 nd day winner- Union

July 3 rd - Lee decides to attack the middle of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. After the largest artillery barrage in history. The Rebels lead by George Pickett’s division attack the Yankees. Pickett’s charge is a disaster as the Union destroy Pickett’s troops. 3 rd Day winner- Union Casualties for the 3 Days: About 23,000 Union & 28,000 Confederate. Battle winner the Union. On July 4 th, Lee & the Confederates begin retreating back to Virginia. The same day, the siege at Vicksburg ends as the Confederates there surrender to Grant and the Union army, who take control of the city and the Mississippi River.