There is widespread disagreement over the turning point of the American Civil War. The idea of a turning point is an event after which most observers would agree that the eventual outcome was inevitable. While the Battle of Gettysburg is the most widely cited (often in combination with Battle of Vicksburg), there are several other arguable turning points in the American Civil War. Possibilities are presented here in chronological order. Only the positive arguments for each are given.
At the time of the event, the fog of war often makes it impossible to recognize all of the implications of any one victory. Hindsight well after the fact reveals the endpoint and all the developments that led up to it. In most cases, contemporary observers may lack confidence in predicting a turning point. In the Civil War, many of the turning points cited by historians would not have been recognized as such at the time.
Read more about Turning Point Of The American Civil War: Confederate Victory in First Battle of Bull Run (July 1861), Confederate Invasion of Kentucky (September 1861), Union Capture of Forts Henry and Donelson (February 1862), Union Capture of New Orleans (April 1862), Union Victory in Battle of Antietam (September 1862), Stonewall Jackson's Death (May 1863), Union Capture of Vicksburg and Victory in Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863), Union Victory in Third Battle of Chattanooga (November 1863), Grant's Appointment As Union General-in-chief (March 1864), Union Capture of Atlanta (September 1864), Lincoln's Reelection (November 1864)
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“A turning point in modern history.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
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“No one can go on being a rebel too long without turning into an autocrat.”
—Lawrence Durrell (1912–1990)
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—Betty Friedan (b. 1921)
“Resolved, There can never be a true peace in this Republic until the civil and political rights of all citizens of African descent and all women are practically established. Resolved, that the women of the Revolution were not wanting in heroism and self-sacrifice, and we, their daughters, are ready, in this War, to pledge our time, our means, our talents, and our lives, if need be, to secure the final and complete consecration of America to freedom.”
—Woman’s Loyal League (founded May 1861)
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