key term - Appomattox Court House

Definition

Appomattox Court House is the site in Virginia where Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, effectively marking the end of the Civil War. This historic event symbolized not just the military defeat of the Confederacy, but also paved the way for reunification and the eventual reconstruction of the United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The surrender at Appomattox Court House effectively ended the Civil War, with General Lee's decision being influenced by dwindling supplies and manpower.
2. Following the surrender, General Grant offered generous terms of surrender, allowing Confederate soldiers to return home with their horses and personal belongings.
3. The surrender took place in the McLean House, which has since become a historic site and symbol of peace and reconciliation.
4. After Lee's surrender, other Confederate armies began to capitulate quickly, leading to the overall collapse of the Confederacy.
5. Appomattox Court House has become a national landmark, representing not only the end of military conflict but also the beginning of a long process of healing and rebuilding in a divided nation.

Review Questions

• What were the key factors that led to General Lee's decision to surrender at Appomattox Court House?
  • General Lee's decision to surrender at Appomattox Court House was influenced by several key factors including significant shortages in supplies, manpower, and morale within his army. As Union forces continued to advance and encircle his troops, it became clear that further resistance was futile. Additionally, Grant's strategic planning had effectively outmaneuvered Lee's forces throughout the final campaigns, making surrender a practical option to prevent unnecessary loss of life.
• How did Grant's terms of surrender at Appomattox Court House reflect a desire for reconciliation between the North and South?
  • Grant's terms of surrender at Appomattox Court House were notably generous, reflecting his desire for reconciliation rather than punishment. By allowing Confederate soldiers to return home with their horses and personal belongings, Grant aimed to foster a spirit of healing. His approach contrasted sharply with harsher measures proposed by some in Congress, highlighting an early attempt at national unity as both sides sought to move forward from the devastation of war.
• In what ways did the surrender at Appomattox Court House set the stage for Reconstruction and shape future relations between North and South?
  • The surrender at Appomattox Court House set a precedent for how the nation would approach Reconstruction after the Civil War. By choosing a path of leniency rather than retribution, it opened discussions about reintegration and healing rather than deepening divisions. The event highlighted tensions that would arise during Reconstruction, as differing visions for rebuilding the South emerged, impacting political debates over civil rights and federal authority that would shape U.S. history for decades.

Related terms

Surrender:

The act of yielding to an opponent or enemy, in this case, referring to the formal giving up of hostilities by Lee's army.

Reconstruction:

The period following the Civil War during which the United States undertook efforts to reintegrate Southern states and address the inequalities faced by formerly enslaved individuals.

Civil War:

The conflict fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Northern states (the Union) and Southern states (the Confederacy) primarily over issues related to slavery and states' rights.