The horror of Antietam proved to be one of the war's critical events. Lee and Davis did not get their victory. Neither Britain nor France was prepared to recognize the Confederacy. Five days after the battle, Lincoln issued his preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. On November 5, Lincoln, impatient with McClellan's hesitancy, relieved him of command, and replaced him with General Ambrose Burnside.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Confederacy and the Union
Explain the strategic importance of the Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Shiloh