Why was the battle of Antietam so significant?

Answer 1

The Battle of Antietam was an important battle in the US Civil War. Even though Lee had to retreat, the battle was a technical draw. The battle was important for other reasons as well, however, the main importance of the battle was to show the North that it could be invaded by a smaller army than the Union fielded during the battle. The so-called avenue of the Emancipation Proclamation was really a side issue in terms of the military situation at that time.

Answer 2

The main important thing about the Battle of Antietam was that the North was able to stop Lee's first invasion of the North, although at great cost. Lee, outnumbered nearly three to one, held his lines after the battle, and then returned to Virginia. It was the bloodiest day in American history.

Answer 3

It stopped the Confederacy from gaining foreign aid, from either Britain or France.

The US victory kept the Confederate States from gaining recognition as a separate country, by the European countries. Had the US lost this battle, it was likely that since the US had lost the majority of battles against the South, the Europeans would most likely have forced the Union to lift it's blockade of the Southern ports. This would have allowed the South to freely trade their cotton with Europe in exchange for weapons and other war materials.
It was a battle fought in the North, and resulted in the most casualties in US history.

It also was a defeat for Robert E. Lee who needed a victory that may have influenced Britain and France to lend aid to the Confederacy.
The Union defeated the Confederates when the latter invaded Maryland. After the battle, President Abraham issued the Emancipation Proclamation which was the beginning of the end of slavery in the United States of America. Also after the battle, President Lincoln fired General McClellan for the second and last time, because Gen. McClellan refused to go after Gen. Lee and fight him again.

Answer 4

The Battle of Antietam was the most incredible loss of life. No other single day of American history before or since has been so deadly. Nearly one of every four soldiers engaged was killed, wounded, or captured.

Answer 5

The battle of Antietam was significant beacause it was considered the "The Bloodiest Day of the War" and also that the Union beat back the final Rebel attack on the North. About 27,000 people died altoghether.

Answer 6

The tactical stalemate at Antietam was the bloodiest single day of the war. The North claimed a strategic victory because it thwarted Lee's invasion of Maryland, and it allowed Lincoln to seize the moral high ground by announcing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Answer 7

This unexpected Northern win ended Lee's triumphant string of victories and enabled Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation without sounding as though it was a desperate measure.

The Proclamation turned the war into a crusade against slavery, so Britain - who were planing to help the Confederates - would then have to stay out.

Answer 8

It gave Lincoln the credibility to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which deterred free nations abroad from granting recognition to the Confederacy, as it would have made them look pro-slavery themselves.

Answer 9

It gave Lincoln the credibility to issue his Emancipation Proclamation, which stopped the British from sending aid to the Confederacy, because it would make them look pro-slavery themselves.

Answer 10

It was a turning point of the US Civil War and helped give President Lincoln the courage to announce his emancipation proclamation.