Some key factors that made the Battle of Gettysburg a turning point include:
1. Confederate Defeat: The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee, was defeated by the Union Army of the Potomac, led by General George Meade. This was the first major defeat of Lee's army, which had previously won a series of victories in the war.
2. Union Casualties: The battle was extremely bloody, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The Union army lost approximately 23,000 men, while the Confederate army lost about 28,000. This high number of casualties weakened the Confederate army and made it more difficult for them to continue the war.
3. Lee's Retreat: After the battle, Lee was forced to retreat back into Virginia. This marked a shift in the momentum of the war, as the Union army was now able to take the offensive and gain control of more Confederate territory.
4. Turning Point in the War: The Battle of Gettysburg is often considered to be a turning point in the war because it shifted the balance of power in favor of the Union. After Gettysburg, the Union army was able to maintain control of the North and began to make gains in the South. The war would continue for another two years, but the Union victory at Gettysburg gave them the upper hand and ultimately led to the defeat of the Confederacy.
Overall, the Battle of Gettysburg was a significant event in the Civil War that had a major impact on the outcome of the conflict. It was a major victory for the Union army and marked the beginning of the decline of the Confederate army.