(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 south, now engaged in a battle they were unready for had plans of winning the fight and marching right into the Union capital, Washington D.C. and looking for a formal surrender resulting in the end of the war and Confederate independence. They were also fighting for European recognition and support for their efforts. A victory at Gettysburg may have been enough to let Europe into the war to aid the south.
             The north needed to win the battle to prevent losing the war and to get off the defensive and onto the offensive. Troop moral was low for the north, because they were being handed defeat after defeat. Many of the troops felt like quitting and no longer serving their enlistments. A union victory was crucial to restore moral, turn the war effort around and to keep the south from invading the north.
             Today it's common knowledge that the Union prevailed at Gettysburg and many historians label it as the turning point of the war because it gave the north momentum going into other battles and it increased the moral of the troops. It stopped the Confederate advance into northern territory and quite possibly into the heart of the Union, Washington D.C. It also gave the union troops momentum going into future battles, by restoring their faith and pride into the Union cause. However none of this would have been possible if it was not for three contingency factors that occurred on those memorable July days. .
             There were three main contingency factors at Gettysburg that allowed the Union to ultimately win the battle. The battle was three days long with one contingency factor occurring on each day of fighting. The first factor was General John Buford and his cavalry. Him and his men held McPherson's ridge against the advancing Confederates being led by Heth. He was able to hold them off long enough to ensure the north got what Buford called "the good ground." By this he meant the higher ground, and he called it the good ground because it is easier to fight down than it is to fight up.


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