- Psychological Boost: The victory at Shiloh boosted the morale of the Union troops and provided them with a much-needed confidence boost. After suffering a series of defeats in the early stages of the war, the Union's success at Shiloh helped to galvanize their forces and strengthen their resolve to fight for their cause.
- Union Control of the Mississippi: Shiloh played a crucial role in securing the Union's control over the Mississippi River. The Union victory disrupted Confederate supply lines and communication networks in the West, making it more challenging for the Confederacy to transport troops and supplies across the river. This gave the Union a strategic advantage in the Mississippi River Valley and helped them to gain control of vital waterways.
- Loss of Confederate Manpower: The Battle of Shiloh resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, but the Confederate forces suffered significantly more losses. The Confederacy lost some of its most experienced generals, including Albert Sidney Johnston, and many skilled soldiers. This weakened the Confederate Army's strength and leadership in the Western Theater.
- Shift in Momentum: The Union victory at Shiloh marked a turning point in the Civil War. It came after a string of Confederate victories and halted the momentum that the Confederacy had built up in the early months of the war. Shiloh shifted the balance of power in favor of the Union and provided them with the impetus to launch additional offensive operations in the West.
- Inspiration for the Emancipation Proclamation: The brutality and suffering witnessed during the Battle of Shiloh had a profound impact on Union General Ulysses S. Grant. It is believed that the horrors he witnessed at Shiloh influenced his decision to support the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in Confederate territory were free.
- Encouragement for Emancipation: The Union's victory at Shiloh also solidified support for the abolition of slavery within the North. The battle further reinforced the idea that the war was about preserving the Union and ending the institution of slavery, which contributed to the growing momentum for emancipation.