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Why did Robert E. Lee invade Pennsylvania in 1863?
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Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Following his victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, Robert E. Lee launched an invasion of the North for several strategic reasons.1
Lee aimed to capitalize on the high morale of the Army of Northern Virginia while exploiting the growing defeatist sentiment within the North. By taking the war into Union territory, he hoped to further discourage the enemy and potentially influence European powers to grant diplomatic recognition to the Confederacy.1