Final answer:
Robert E. Lee wished to push the Civil War farther north in order to potentially weaken the Union's resolve to fight, gain a better chance at victory for the Confederacy, and receive support from foreign powers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Robert E. Lee wished to push the Civil War farther north because he believed that a successful campaign in Maryland and threatening Washington would give the Confederacy a better chance at victory. Both sides in the war wanted to end it quickly, and Lee saw the opportunity to potentially weaken the Union's resolve to fight by pushing into their territory. Additionally, Lee hoped that a significant Confederate victory in the North would convince foreign powers like Great Britain and France to support the Confederacy and encourage the North to negotiate peace.