The bloodiest battle of all, the battle to end all battles of the American Civil War, and the three days of war that would affect forever the history of the United States. The Battle of Gettysburg restored people's hope in Union government, forced Confederate troops to withdraw from battle, and ended one of the most famous civil wars in history. The Southern Rebellion and its desire to secede from the United States to create the Confederate States of America is considered one of the main causes of the outbreak of the war. The Union, in theory, had the odds in their favor by having more supplies and soldiers, but the Confederacy enjoyed the majority of victories until the Battle of Gettysburg. The Union had reason to be in distress and had much to lose if the Civil War turned into a Confederate victory. For the first two years of the war, Union soldiers fought in the states, suffering heavy blows, but the Battle of Gettysburg created a turning point in the Civil War as it transferred the upper hand to the Confederates, sealing ultimately Union victory. Before the civil war broke out. Clearly, several parts of the story foreshadowed the growing divide between the northern and southern regions of the United States. First, differences in culture and lifestyle. The South's economy was based primarily on agriculture; particularly the cultivation of tobacco, corn and cotton. The large southern plantations, owned by several elitist white men, used slavery to operate, another major cause of civil war. The northern economy has prospered thanks to the manufacturing sector and large industrial companies. Northern politicians and members of the elite supported tariffs and the use of building large armies. As the divide grew, tempers and attitudes flared, as in middle of paper...... Civil War because it transferred the upper hand to the Confederates, ultimately sealing victory for the Union. After the Battle of Gettysburg, the tide turned. Lee's army no longer posed a threat in the Northern Territory, and the North could then capture the Southern cities, beginning its efforts to restore the Union. After the defeat of the Confederacy, Southerners began to reconsider the reasons for war and fighting. Additionally, because this war saw the highest number of casualties ever recorded at that point in history, people no longer wanted to enlist or support the fighting. Had the Union lost the Battle of Gettysburg, American and even world history could have completely changed as it is known today. Without the Union victory, the United States would not exist, but a Confederate States of America and a Union of North American States would exist..