Final answer:
The events leading up to General Lee's surrender include the Battle of Gettysburg, the Siege of Petersburg, and the fall of Richmond. These events gradually weakened Lee's army and led to his decision to surrender.
Step-by-step explanation:
General Robert E. Lee's surrender marked a significant turning point in the American Civil War. The events leading up to his surrender can be traced back to the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. Lee's Confederate army suffered a major defeat at Gettysburg, which weakened their momentum and morale. The Union forces, commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant, continued to press on, gradually wearing down Lee's army through a series of battles and sieges.
One key event leading up to Lee's surrender was the Siege of Petersburg, which lasted from June 1864 to April 1865. This prolonged campaign put immense pressure on Lee's diminishing resources and manpower. The Union army was able to cut off crucial supply lines, leading to food shortages and a decline in morale among Confederate soldiers.
Another event that brought Lee closer to surrender was the fall of Richmond, the Confederate capital, in April 1865. With the loss of their stronghold, Lee's army was further isolated and surrounded by Union forces. Facing overwhelming odds and dwindling resources, Lee decided to surrender on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the Civil War.
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