What were the goals of the Confederates and the Union?
The Union's goal was to preserve America, (keeping the south from breaking free). The Confederates' goal was to break away and form a separate form of government centered around states' rights. Slavery wasn't a big issue to the war, but the war gave an excuse to end it.
What was Napoleon trying to achieve; what were his goals?
Most of what we hear or read about Napoleon is British view or the view of the victor.At the time of French Revolution Europe was ruled by Monarchs.These Monarchs rule came through Hereditary. It was assumed that through blood these being was superior to common folk. God has ordained them to be kings and queens. Churches assisted by teaching its followers about this. And Royalty paid back to Church by giving them vast lands and tax less income and no interference by King in religious affairs. Church and Monarchy were hand in glove in looting/enslaving common masses.Purity of blood is maintained by marriage within each other.So almost all royals marry amongst each other and hence they were related to each other. Some were first cousin or second cousin etc.French Revolution was bloody. Almost all royals were killed or have to fled France.Property of Catholic Church was taken over by Revolutionary government.Oppressed public was free. Life of a common man was better. He has a hope under new system. He can chose his ruler.Revolutionaries of other countries now can see toward France for inspiration. Freedom struggles were already going on in other European nations, now they got new vigour.So all European Monarchs wanted to punish France for this. They wanted to make it an example for all revolutionaries.They can't let it succeed at any cost. So they helped royalists to mount an attack on France. So France was attacked by combined armies of all Europe, it was besieged by British Royal Navy. It's commerce was effectively blocked. It's ports were pounded by Naval ships of opposing Nations. It's overseas colonies were overtaken by an alliance of anti revolutionary nations.It's a do or die situation for France. It's either Bourbon King or war with entire Europe.So Napoleon had no choice at the start of his career. He crushed the civil war in various parts of France. Pushed out the enemy out of France.Given this background I don't think there could be any peace between warring parties except a lull for preparing for next war. Or gathering another army.How many coalition armies he fought?And at last he was counquered and Bourbons were restored as rightful owners of France.It was a war between two ideologies, they cannot come to terms, it was impossible.Had Napoleon been a royal it would be different He could have reliable alliance. He was a disruption to the established order.For your answer :-He was trying to save French and his own Freedom.Viva la revolution..
What signaled the end of the Confederacy?
When the last figthing men in uniform of the confederation surrendered.Here is the chronology :April 9 : Lee surrender the army of Virginia to Grant at AppomatoxApril 26 : Johnston surrender the army of Georgia to ShermanMay 4 : Surrender of the army of AlabamaMay 23 : General Kirby Smith surrender the army of texasJune 23 : General Stand Wattie surrender the auxiliary indians troops of the confederacy : Surrender of General Stand WatieBeside, being the first native american to reach the rank of brigadier general, Stand Watie was also the last sudist general to surrender.I agree with Ted wrigley that the surrended of general Lee signed officially the end of all hopes for the rebellion.For thoses interrested in the full timing : Conclusion of the American Civil War
What were the strategies and goals of Antietam?
Antietam was the result of Lee making a move into the Northern states to show the North that the Confederates were capable of having their way against the Union forces. Union General Hooker forced Stonewall Jackson back and Lee was forced to call up reserve forces. McClellan was concerned about the Confederates having a superior force, which was untrue. This pivotal battle caused England to cancel recognizing the Confederate States of America and thus ended the South's major strategy of forcing the North to ask for peace and with England's recognition the Union would no longer exist and there would be two nations occupying the land that had been one nation. However, the Union eek-ed out a victory and Lee was forced to retreat to the South. It was the bloodiest single day battle in U.S. history, there were 12,000 killed and wounded for the North and 14,000 killed or wounded for the South. The battle September 17, 1862, allowed Lincoln to announce the Emancipation Proclamation, which began January 1, 1863. Lincoln called for a new nation to be born and that meant ending the Confederate nation. The war was now one of annihilation. Without England's recognition of the South, it was only a matter of time before the tide turned against the South.