The Civil War transformed from a limited conflict into a total war, marked by significant battles and strategic developments including the Peninsula Campaign and the Emancipation Proclamation. Key military leaders like General George McClellan and Robert E. Lee shaped the war's trajectory through crucial campaigns and battles.
• The Union's early setbacks at Bull Run necessitated a strategic overhaul and better military preparation
• The Peninsula Campaign demonstrated McClellan's cautious leadership style and ultimately failed to capture Richmond
• The Emancipation Proclamation transformed the war's moral purpose and allowed for black military participation
• Decisive victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in 1863 marked a turning point in the Union's favor
• Sherman's March through Georgia exemplified the shift to total warfare tactics