Question

the twin union victories at vicksburg and gettysburg in july 1863 are sometimes viewed as the turning point of the war, meaning they irreversibly shifted momentum in the unions favor. some historians, however, believe this view is overly simplified and that the confederacy still had a chance to win the war.
sort the following statements by whether they support the point of view that the victories at vicksburg and gettysburg were the turning point of the war.
in summer 1864, despite the victories, the northern public did not trust lincoln to win the war or expect him to win reelection. with union control of the mississippi, the confederacy was permanently cut off from supplies and troops west of the river.
the confederate army continued to win battles in virginia over the next two years. robert e. lees confederate army never again attempted to invade the north, remaining on the defensive for the rest of the war.
the battles were the turning point. the battles were not the turning point.

Explanation:

• "With Union control of the Mississippi, the Confederacy was permanently cut off from supplies and troops west of the river": This shows a major strategic advantage for the Union (control of a vital waterway, cutting off resources), which supports the idea that these victories were a turning - point.
• "Robert E. Lee's Confederate army never again attempted to invade the North, remaining on the defensive for the rest of the war": This indicates a shift in the balance of power (from Confederate offensive to defensive), which is in line with the concept of a turning - point.
• "In summer 1864, despite the victories, the Northern public did not trust Lincoln to win the war or expect him to win re - election": This shows that the Northern public still had doubts, suggesting that the victories were not a clear - cut turning - point.
• "The Confederate army continued to win battles in Virginia over the next two years": This implies that the Confederacy still had some strength and was not completely defeated, so the victories were not a turning - point.

Answer:

• The battles were the turning point: "With Union control of the Mississippi, the Confederacy was permanently cut off from supplies and troops west of the river", "Robert E. Lee's Confederate army never again attempted to invade the North, remaining on the defensive for the rest of the war".
• The battles were not the turning point: "In summer 1864, despite the victories, the Northern public did not trust Lincoln to win the war or expect him to win re - election", "The Confederate army continued to win battles in Virginia over the next two years".