Sesquicentennial Lecture: David Martin on “1864 As the Turning Point of the Civil War”
The New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee will sponsor a lecture by historian Dr. David Martin at 7:30 p.m., June 18, in the Civic Hall auditorium, Connector Building, at Camden Community College.
Historians have argued for years about when the Civil war reached its turning point. Many say that it was July 1863, when the North won the critical battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Some argue that it was early 1862 (when the South lost its major cities of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans), while others offer fall 1862 (when Southern invasions were turned back at Antietam and Perryville). One noted historian even argues that every campaign and battle was a turning point.
Dr. David Martin sees 1864 as the turning point of the Civil War because of two critical points: the military tide of the war finally shifted fully in the North’s favor, and President Lincoln succeeded in his reelection bid. Dr. Martin will discuss why he believes 1864 was the real turning point of the war, based on analysis of military, political, economic and geographic considerations. Continue reading