Why Was Vicksburg A Turning Point

The Battle of Vicksburg was an important victory for the Union during the Civil War. This major victory was a massive turning point in the war for the Union. Before this point in the war, the Union only had a few wins against the Confederacy and hope was slowly withering away for the Union; but because of Vicksburg, the Union was able to turn the war around and eventually (as we all know) win the war and reunite the North and the South. Vicksburg was an important Union victory and turning point in the war because it was believed to be the key to the Confederacy by Lincoln and Jefferson Davis and contained valuable resources, it split the Confederacy in half, and it proved that General Grant was a more than adequate leader and strategist.

The Key to the Confederacy and Resources Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America, both believed that Vicksburg was the key to the South because of the resource rich location. Vicksburg’s location being near the Mississippi River was
Grant’s leadership tactics and battle strategies were not only adequate, but they were remarkable. At first, Lincoln disagreed with Grant’s plan to siege Vicksburg. Even though Lincoln did not agree with Grant’s plan, Grant continued because he thought he knew best and did what he thought would win the North Vicksburg. Grant’s plan was to surround Vicksburg and cut of all supplies. While doing this, they would continuously move in closer and closer and keep firing on the city. “...Vicksburg is so strong by nature and so well fortified that sufficient force cannot be brought to bear against it to carry it by storm against the present Garrison. It must be taken by a regular siege or by starving out the Garrison.” (Grant, 1). This six week siege proved to be effective when Vicksburg surrendered and Grant and the Union won the