
Rather than conquering their opponents, the Confederates hoped to force them to the negotiating table, where the division of the states could be accomplished. It was not the complete victory the Union eventually achieved. Did the South come close to winning the Civil War?Įarly in the American Civil War, the Confederacy almost won. As long as the word “Confederate” had genuine meaning, the South was winning. For as long as one Confederate flag flew defiantly somewhere, the South was winning. The South could win the war either by gaining military victory of its own or simply by continuing to exist. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Lee surrendered his troops to Union General Ulysses S. The war effectively ended in April 1865 when Confederate General Robert E. Even so, slavery was not in itself the cause of defeat. Enslaved people fled to join the Union army, depriving the South of labour and strengthening the North by more than 100,000 soldiers. The most convincing ‘internal’ factor behind southern defeat was the very institution that prompted secession: slavery. Second, the south was going to fight a defensive war. They thought that a compromise and peace agreement could be reached after a short period of fighting. First, the southern leaders were sure the north was not going to have a full-scale military conflict. They had many reasons for being so confident. Why did the South think they could win the Civil War? 54 Which Battle ended in the Great skedaddle?.51 Who won the Civil War the Confederates or Union?.50 What would happen if the South won Antietam?.47 Was Gettysburg the last battle of the Civil War?.46 What did the South call the Battle of Gettysburg?.45 Why did Longstreet disagree with Lee at Gettysburg?.44 What if Lee had listened to Longstreet?.



6 Why did the South lost at Gettysburg?.5 Did the South come close to winning the Civil War?.3 Which side actually won the Civil War?.2 Why didn’t the South won the Civil War?.1 Why did the South think they could win the Civil War?.
