Compare And Contrast The Battle Of Gettysburg And Vicksburg

Two Parts of a Greater Whole The American Civil War did not have an inevitable outcome during it 's first few stages of development. Nevertheless, the Battle of Gettysburg and Vicksburg became a turning point for the Civil War. Both of these battles ended in favor for the Federal Government also known as the Union, North, or Yankees. There were many casualties from both the Union and the Confederates. These Confederates created a government that only included states that had seceded from the Union, they were also known as the South. Even though the victories at these two battles were in favor for the Union both of the sides put in a lot of work and men. For example, twenty thousand soldiers had died only at the Battle of Gettysburg. The number …show more content…
In 1863, Grant (the Union general at that time) set up artillery to siege Vicksburg, a city on the Mississippi River. This prevented people from crossing or even coming close to the river and land. At that point, the Confederates were running low on supplies and they felt as if starvation was killing them. The Confederate soldiers couldn 't take the starvation anymore and petitioned to ask General Grant about terms for surrender. The defeat at Vicksburg meant a lot for the Union. The victory for the Union caused the Southern states to divide and have control of the Mississippi River. Abraham Lincoln, the president at that time stated, "Vicksburg is the key, the war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket." The Union used this siege and victory to ultimately win the American Civil War. Having control of the Mississippi River made the South suffer because firstly they were now separated and secondly because they were cut off from using the Mississippi River. This important waterway helped them transport goods which meant that the outcome of this siege had a negative impact on an economic level which benefitted the North. All in all, the victories for the Union at the Battle of Gettysburg and Vicksburg reassured a turning point of the American Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg took away all the possibilities of the Confederates acquiring help from Britain and France. After the loss for the Confederates, being able to invade the Northern soil become a very vague and rare thought. After having the ability to siege Vicksburg, the Union led it 's way to winning the Civil War. The moral boost that was received along small and large battles, led to the fact that the Union had a better chance of unifying the