Turning point of the American Civil War

There is widespread disagreement over the turning point of the American Civil War. Probably the most cited crucial event in the American Civil War is the Battle of Gettysburg. But there are other, equally valid choices. The idea of a turning point is an event after which most observers would agree that the eventual outcome was inevitable. For example, in World War II, the Battle of Midway is generally cited as the turning point in the Pacific Theater because after that battle, the Japanese Empire changed from a strategic offensive posture to the strategic defensive. The Battle of Saratoga is widely recognized as the turning point of the American Revolution.

Related Topics:
American Civil War - Battle of Gettysburg - World War II - Battle of Midway - Japanese Empire - Battle of Saratoga - American Revolution

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A key factor is obviously the hindsight that reveals the endpoint and all the events that precede it. In most cases, contemporary observers may lack confidence in predicting a turning point. In the American Civil War, many of the turning points cited by historians would not have been recognized as such at the time. For example, Gettysburg was seen by military and civilian observers as a great battle, but those in the North had little idea that two more bloody years would be required to finish the war. Southern morale was not strongly affected by the defeat because many assumed that Robert E. Lee had suffered only a temporary setback and would resume his winning ways against ineffective Union generals.

Related Topics:
American Civil War - Robert E. Lee - Union

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There are a number of arguable turning points in the war. Some possibilities are presented here in date sequence. Only the positive arguments for each are given.

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