Which battle is considered the turning point of the Civil War?

The Battle of Gettysburg is widely regarded as the turning point of the Civil War due to several key factors. Fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, it marked the first significant defeat for General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army during their invasion of the North. The battle resulted in heavy casualties—approximately 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing—signifying a severe setback for the South that they would not recover from.

The Union's victory at Gettysburg had profound strategic implications. It boosted Northern morale and solidified the leadership of Union General George Meade, whereas the Southern defeat diminished Lee's ability to invade the North again. This pivotal conflict shifted the momentum of the war toward the Union forces and set the stage for subsequent victories, such as the Battle of Vicksburg, which occurred concurrently and further weakened the Confederate hold on the Mississippi River.

In contrast, while Vicksburg was also critical because it gave the Union control over the Mississippi River, Gettysburg is often viewed as the decisive turning point because it halted the Confederate invasion and reversed their fortunes in a way that no other single battle had. Other battles, like Bull Run and Petersburg, did not have the same immediate and lasting