Robert E. Lee

Definition

Robert E. Lee was a prominent Confederate general during the American Civil War, known for his military leadership and strategic prowess. He played a crucial role in the early stages of the conflict and the changing nature of the war as it progressed.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Robert E. Lee was a West Point graduate and served in the U.S. Army before resigning to join the Confederate cause.
2. As a Confederate general, Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia and was known for his tactical brilliance and ability to outmaneuver Union forces.
3. Lee's decision to invade the North in 1863 led to the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg, a major turning point in the war that halted the Confederate advance.
4. In 1865, Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the Civil War.
5. After the war, Lee became a symbol of the Lost Cause, a movement that romanticized the Confederacy and its ideals.

Review Questions

• Describe Robert E. Lee's role in the early mobilization and war efforts of the Confederacy.
  • As a highly respected military leader, Robert E. Lee played a crucial role in the early mobilization and war efforts of the Confederacy. After resigning from the U.S. Army, Lee accepted a commission in the Confederate forces and was soon given command of the Army of Northern Virginia. Under his leadership, the Confederacy was able to achieve a series of victories against the Union, showcasing Lee's tactical brilliance and ability to outmaneuver his opponents. Lee's early successes, such as the Battle of Bull Run and the Peninsular Campaign, helped to bolster Confederate morale and confidence in the war effort.
• Explain how Robert E. Lee's decision to invade the North in 1863 changed the nature of the Civil War.
  • Robert E. Lee's decision to invade the North in 1863, culminating in the Battle of Gettysburg, marked a significant turning point in the Civil War. This bold move was intended to shift the momentum of the war and potentially force the Union to sue for peace. However, the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg dealt a severe blow to Lee's army and the Confederacy's aspirations of victory. The failure of the Gettysburg campaign, coupled with the Union's growing strength and resources, led to a shift in the war's dynamics, with the Confederacy increasingly on the defensive and the Union gaining the upper hand in the later stages of the conflict.
• Analyze how Robert E. Lee's legacy and the romanticized 'Lost Cause' narrative influenced the post-war period and the memory of the Civil War.
  • After the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House, Robert E. Lee became a central figure in the 'Lost Cause' narrative, a movement that sought to romanticize the Confederacy and its ideals. Lee's reputation as a skilled military leader and his perceived moral character made him a symbol of the Confederacy's noble struggle, even as the war's underlying causes, such as the defense of slavery, were often downplayed or ignored. This mythologized portrayal of Lee and the Confederacy had a lasting impact on the post-war period, shaping the public's understanding of the Civil War and contributing to the perpetuation of racial inequalities and the glorification of the Antebellum South. The enduring legacy of the 'Lost Cause' narrative continues to influence historical narratives and debates surrounding the Civil War and its legacy.

Related terms

Confederacy:

The Confederate States of America, the secessionist slave-holding Southern states that fought against the Union during the Civil War.

Union:

The United States of America, the Northern states that fought to preserve the nation and abolish slavery during the Civil War.

Antebellum South: The Southern states prior to the Civil War, characterized by a plantation-based economy and the institution of slavery.