Final answer:
The Battle of Gettysburg marked a major victory for the Union and a significant defeat for the Confederacy. It halted the Confederate Army's momentum and shifted the tide of the Civil War in favor of the Union.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Battle of Gettysburg is considered a turning point in the Civil War because it marked a major defeat for the Confederate Army and halted their momentum. The battle was fought from July 1-3, 1863, and resulted in heavy casualties for both sides, with over 50,000 soldiers dead, wounded, or missing. The Confederate Army, led by General Robert E. Lee, lost about a third of their forces and was forced to retreat.
This battle had a significant impact on the overall outcome of the war. It put an end to the Confederate Army's attempts to invade the North and shifted the momentum in favor of the Union Army. The defeat at Gettysburg also boosted the morale of Union soldiers and the civilian population, while demoralizing the Confederacy. Additionally, the battle paved the way for President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territories were to be set free.