Although most Americans believe that the Battle of Gettysburg was the only turning point of the Civil War, the war actually turned repeatedly. Turning Points of the American Civil War examines key shifts and the context surrounding them, demonstrating that the war was a continuum of watershed events.

James A. Rawley examines the seven turning points of the Civil War: the course of the slaveholding borderland in 1861, First Bull Run, the Trent affair, Antietam, the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg and Vicksburg, and the presidential election of 1864. Among the topic unifying his book are slavery, democracy, British policy, military organization and progress, and the roles of Lincoln, McClellan, Davis, and Lee. The afterword looks at the Civil War itself as a turning point in American history. In a preface to this Bison Book editin, James A. Rawley, considers recent books that sustain the idea of turning points during the Civil War.

First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This work is a creative approach to history that not only recounts what actually happened during the Civil War, but also imagines alternate outcomes had key events turned out differently, and how they might have changed the course of American history. In colorful, readable prose, this volume provides a full history of the Civil War—including John Brown's raid; the story of the Confederate States of America; the battles of Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg; Sherman's March to the Sea; the Emancipation Proclamation; the Thirteenth Amendment; Lincoln's assassination; Reconstruction; and Andrew Johnson's impeachment. But more importantly, it offers a range of essays on how events could have turned out differently—militarily, politically, and culturally. It challenges students and general readers alike to remember that the course of history is not preordained. Instead, history is "made " in critical moments of decision by those who choose one course of action over another. Their choices—and the outcomes of those choices—could easily have been different.

Keen to learn but short on time? Get to grips with the events of the Battle of Gettysburg in next to no time with this concise guide. 50Minutes.com provides a clear and engaging analysis of the Battle of Gettysburg. In July 1863, one of the most important military engagements of the American Civil War took place. The battle, which began with the Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s attempt to invade the North, resulted in a Union victory, and is often described as a turning point in the Civil War. Both sides sustained major losses, making the Battle of Gettysburg the deadliest battle of the entire war. In just 50 minutes you will: • Understand the political and social context surrounding the battle and the catalyst that triggered the start of the fighting • Identify the main commanders and leaders who influenced the outcome of the battle • Analyse the outcome of the battle and its impact on the future of America ABOUT 50MINUTES.COM | History & Culture 50MINUTES.COM will enable you to quickly understand the main events, people, conflicts and discoveries from world history that have shaped the world we live in today. Our publications present the key information on a wide variety of topics in a quick and accessible way that is guaranteed to save you time on your journey of discovery.

This award-winning Civil War history examines Robert E. Lee’s retreat from Gettysburg and the vital importance of Civil War military intelligence. While countless books have examined the Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederate Army’s retreat to the Potomac River remains largely untold. This comprehensive study tells the full story, including how Maj. Gen. George G. Meade organized and motivated his Army of the Potomac to pursue Gen. Robert E. Lee’s retreating Army of Northern Virginia. The long and bloody battle exhausted both armies, and both faced difficult tasks ahead. Lee had to conduct an orderly withdrawal from the field. Meade had to assess whether his army had sufficient strength to pursue a still-dangerous enemy. Central to the respective commanders’ decisions was the intelligence they received about one another’s movements, intentions, and capability. The eleven-day period after Gettysburg was a battle of wits to determine which commander better understood the information he received. Prepare for some surprising revelations. The authors utilized a host of primary sources to craft this study, including letters, memoirs, diaries, official reports, newspapers, and telegrams. The immediacy of this material shines through in a fast-paced narrative that sheds significant new light on one of the Civil War’s most consequential episodes. Winner, Edwin C. Bearss Scholarly Research Award Winner, 2019, Hugh G. Earnhart Civil War Scholarship Award, Mahoning Valley Civil War Round Table

The American Civil War continues to be one of the most significant events in US history. In this title, readers will examine the far reaches of the war through the key turning points in battles across the nation. Engaging text introduces readers to the Siege of Vicksburg and the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Chattanooga. Chapters also cover the life of a civil war soldier and highlight Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Abdo & Daughters is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

The American Civil War was a bloody time in American History. The Battle of Shiloh was the true turning point of this war. It would become a battle of blunders for three generals: Grant, Sherman, and Beauregard-who showed their stupidity and arrogance at this battle. All three should have been court-martialed and ran out of the Union and Confederate armies for the huge mistakes they made. Over ten thousand men lost their lives because of the stupidity of these three generals. P. G. T. Beauregard might have been the most disobedient general of the Civil War. He could not and would not follow orders. He would change General Albert Sidney Johnston's original battle plan to go with the one Napoleon had used to great failure at Waterloo. If Johnston's plan had been used, Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman would have been annihilated by noon on the first day of battle at Shiloh. They were not entrenched nor prepared for this battle. When the battle started, Grant was downriver at a boarding house having breakfast. The importance of this battle has been looked over by many historians. The Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers' importance cannot be overlooked; they were the way for the Union army to pave a way for invasion into the Deep South. If the Confederate army wins this battle on the first day-and again, Beauregard had chance after chance to accomplish this-a total different outcome to the American Civil could have happened.