Why did the South invade the North during the Gettysburg campaign?

There were several reasons why General Lee invaded the North in the battle of Gettysburg. One reason was the South was in need of food. Because most of the fighting in the Civil War had been done in the South, many of the farms were destroyed. Thus, there was a shortage of food for the southern soldiers. General Lee knew there was plenty of food available in the North since those farms weren’t damaged very much in the war.

Another reason for invading the North is that the European countries were waiting for a major offensive military victory in the North by the South. While the South won some early battles at Bull Run and at Fort Sumter, every time the South went on the offensive in North, they were forced to retreat. Before Europe would commit any significant aid to the South, they wanted proof the South could go on the offensive and win a major battle in the North.

General Lee also knew that a victory at Gettysburg would increase pressure on President Lincoln to settle with the South. There was growing discontent in the North about the length of the war. A group called the Peace Democrats or Copperheads wanted Lincoln to sign a peace treaty with the Confederacy. General Lee knew a victory in the North at Gettysburg would increase pressure on President Lincoln to sign a peace agreement.

There were several reasons for the invasion of the North by General Lee. However, with his defeat at Gettysburg, the South would not be on the offensive again in this war. Any chance of victory in the Civil War disappeared with the South’s defeat at Gettysburg.