Question

Which of the following could explain why Robert E. Lee invaded the North in 1863? Question 11 options: a) He hoped to liberate Confederate soldiers in a prisoner-of-war camp in Pennsylvania. b) He wanted to destroy northern factories that were producing weapons. c) He wanted revenge for Stonewall Jackson's death. d) He hoped to destroy the railroad junction at Gettysburg. e) He hoped to destroy the morale of the Union army.

Answer 1

Lee's invasion of the North in 1863 was strategized to potentially gain foreign support from Great Britain and France, relieve Virginia from war activities, diminish Union morale, and to divert Union troops from the Vicksburg campaign. The correct answer is option e).

Step-by-step explanation:

Robert E. Lee invaded the North in 1863 with several strategic objectives in mind. One of the main reasons for this invasion was the hope that a Confederate victory on Union soil would persuade Great Britain and France to recognize and support the Confederacy. Moreover, such an offensive move was intended to relieve Virginia of the burden of war for a season, as well as to undermine the morale of the Union forces. Additionally, disrupting the Union's grip on the Mississippi River by drawing troops away from the Vicksburg campaign was a significant motive.

The Confederacy was indeed in need of a bold move to shift the momentum of the war, which was increasingly favoring the Union after their control of the Mississippi River post-Vicksburg and the broader initiative of the Union armies on multiple fronts.