Final answer:
Robert E. Lee fought for the Confederacy due to his loyalty to Virginia, his birthplace, and a sense of duty to protect it after its secession. Virginia's entry into the Confederacy also strategically strengthened the South's military capability. Despite being a skilled leader, the Confederacy's limited resources contributed to eventual defeat.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Robert E. Lee Fought for the Confederacy
Robert E. Lee chose to fight on the Confederate side primarily due to his loyalty to his home state, Virginia, despite his prior allegiance to the United States. Lee believed that his duty was to defend his birthplace rather than take up arms against it. The issue of defending home and heritage resonated with many Southerners who had mixed feelings about secession but felt compelled to protect their states and way of life. Lee's decision was made after Virginia's secession, which followed the belief that the Confederate states needed to defend themselves from Northern aggression, perceived as a threat to their way of life and heritage.
The struggle in the South and the Confederacy tapping into its strategic advantages, such as primarily waging a defensive war and leveraging highly skilled military leaders like Lee, also influenced his leadership in the conflict. Despite the South's drawbacks, like less industrial capacity and limited resources, the addition of Virginia and other Upper South states bolstered the Confederacy's military capabilities.
Ultimately, Lee's dedication to Virginia and the strategic situation of the Confederacy during the Civil War explain why he would lead the Confederate army, despite the initial success at places such as Maryland and the eventual hardships faced by his army.