(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Gettysburg and why it was a Contingency For the Civil War

             The battle of Gettysburg had three main contingency factors that could have resulted in a different outcome for the battle and the war. It is easy to say what if this happened or what if that happened. Obviously, if some of those what if's occurred the results may have been drastically different. There are a lot of what if's that can be made about history, and making all of these what if's can make for interesting stories about history. However, they are more prevalent in history than one might originally expect. Much of the history that has been made can easily have had completely opposite outcomes using some of the what if's. .
             The battle of Gettysburg in the summer of 1863 is a great example of what if history. It was the only battle during the war when the two armies collided on the march. General Robert E. Lee commanded the southern army and the northern army was led by General George Gordon Meade. Both leaders knew the importance of winning the next battle to ensure victory for their sides. .
             Both armies were on the move; concerned about each other's movements they each sent out spies to keep track of each other's movements. The Southern cavalry leader J.E.B. Stuart was what Robert E. Lee called the "eyes" of the army. The southern effort depended on him and his cavalry to keep them up to date of all Union movement. Without his cavalry the south was blind. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry never reported back to Lee when he was expected to, and because of this the south marched right into the heart of the Union army, resulting in the battle of Gettysburg. They were forced into a battle that they had not expected, and they fought it the best they could. The pursuing days were filled with some of the bloodiest fights in American history placing father against son and brother against brother. Each side was fighting to the death for the cause they believed in. The next three days would change our nation forever.


Essays Related to Gettysburg and why it was a Contingency For the Civil War

1. Gettysburg Battle

Gettysburg was the turning point of the American Civil War. This is the most famous and important Civil War Battle that occurred over three hot summer days, July 3, 1863, around the small market town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. ... The causes of the Civil War, and the Battle of Gettysburg, one must understand the differences between these two cultures. ... The North was fighting the Civil War for two reasons, first to keep the Nation unified, and second to abolish slavery. ... The Civil War was expected to be a quick battle easily won by the stronger northern army but had dragged on for years...

  • Word Count: 1585
  • Approx Pages: 6

2. Gettysburg

Some look at this encounter as the turning point of the Civil War. Purpose This report was written to explain the events of The Battle of Gettysburg During The Civil War. ... This was the beginning of The Civil War. ... It is a little known fact that more Americans were killed in The Civil War than in both World Wars combined. The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in this The Civil War. ...

  • Word Count: 1716
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

3. The Coming of the Civil War

There was many reasons why the Civil War began. The U.S Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865. ... Like I previously mentioned, there was many reasons why the civil war started. ... Another reason why the civil war started was because it was mainly states versus federal rights. ... Stuart been at Gettysburg, the South might have had a decisive northern victory and won the War. ...

  • Word Count: 1217
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Major General Henry Heth in the Battle of Gettysburg

Heth was a very aggressive leader and did not often prepare contingencies in case anything were to go wrong in battle. ... Heth and his divisions unintentionally started the battle of Gettysburg which was a turning point in the Civil War leading to the Union's victory. ... Major General Heth and his soldiers had started the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. ... Major General Henry Heth was the man who started it all at Gettysburg. ... Major General Henry Heth possibly caused the Confederacy to lose the Civil War....

  • Word Count: 1043
  • Approx Pages: 4

5. Why Gettysburg is significant

The battle at Gettysburg is considered by many to be the turning point for the civil war. ... This war is significant because after this war, Abraham Lincoln established the "Emancipation Proclamation". ... The biggest battle fought during the battle of Gettysburg was called "Pickets Charge". It was the battle that ended the battle of Gettysburg. ... Also Armistead (Confederate) and Hancock (Union) were both friends before the war started. ...

  • Word Count: 278
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: High School

6. The Lost Cause of the Civil War

Lost Cause proponents claim the true cause of the Civil War was not slavery but how the North was suppressing states rights. The Lost Cause outlook of the war viewed the South as brave and heroic; however, the contrasting belief was that the South had no chance to win the war and was doomed from the start. ... His ability to command his army through the Civil War gave him the title of a Southern Hero; some even viewed him as a higher being. ... During the war, it seemed as if Lee never made mistakes; it was certainly not Lee's fault why the South lost the battle of Gettysburg. ... The fil...

  • Word Count: 1273
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography

7. The Battle of Gettysburg

Buford wasn't one of the main generals in the war but he helped the Union gain control at Gettysburg. At the start of the Civil War Buford was a captain in the 2nd Dragoon Regiment. ... Buford never did receive recognition for his part in not only saving the battle but perhaps the war. ... This war could have easily gone either way, with many opportunities for the Confederates to take advantage of the town of Gettysburg. Even with the small contributions of Buford, he made a big difference in how the war continued....

  • Word Count: 635
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

8. What Message did the Gettysburg Address Communicate to our War-torn Nations in 1863

Gettysburg stands as the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. ... In his speech, Lincoln spoke of how the Civil War was a test of whether our nation could even survive. While the war raged on for two more years, the Battle of Gettysburg is often spoken of as the turning point. Lincoln's speech made people think about the true meaning and effect of a Civil War, and whether the country as a whole was more important than the wants of a few. ... The country is suffering, but it isn't a Civil War that is tearing us apart, it is the greed of the wealthy and the suffering of the rest...

  • Word Count: 597
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Battle of Gettysburg

Battle of Gettysburg: Turning point of the war. ... This was before the start of what some believe as "the first real civil war." ... The battle, demonstrating as it did the effectiveness of the Confederate army, changed the status of the conflict from a rebellion to a civil war. ... According to Marshal, author of Stonewall Jackson and the American Civil War-Vol.2: Lee ordered General Stuart's cavalry to head east and strike southward to reach the Union's rear. ... Pickett, would make the biggest mistake known to the Civil War. ...

  • Word Count: 836
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question