Which battle is considered a turning point in the Civil War?

The Battle of Gettysburg is considered a turning point in the Civil War for several key reasons. Fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, it marked the largest battle ever fought in North America and resulted in a significant victory for Union forces. This battle effectively halted the advance of Confederate General Robert E. Lee into the North, which represented a crucial shift in momentum during the war.

The Union's victory at Gettysburg not only inflicted heavy casualties on Lee's army but also bolstered Northern morale. Following this battle, the Union forces gained the upper hand, which contributed to their overall strategy to encircle and defeat the Confederate army. Furthermore, the aftermath of Gettysburg had political implications as well, heightening support for the Union cause and helping to solidify President Abraham Lincoln’s resolve to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which aimed to weaken the Confederacy by freeing enslaved people in rebellious states.

Other battles, such as Antietam, Bull Run, and Shiloh, also played significant roles in the Civil War but did not have the same profound impact on the course of the conflict as Gettysburg did. For instance, while the Battle of Antietam was a strategic draw that led to the issuance