Question

Why did Confederate general Robert E. Lee decide to invade Union territory?
to remove Union pressure from Virginia
to protect the Confederate capital
to make winning the war easier
to draw Union troops from Vicksburg

Answer 1

Confederate General Robert E. Lee decided to invade Union territory primarily **to relieve pressure on Virginia** and to seek a decisive victory that could potentially sway public opinion and bring about a negotiated peace. The hope was that a successful incursion into the North might demoralize the Union and potentially encourage foreign intervention on behalf of the Confederacy.

While protecting the Confederate capital of Richmond and impacting the broader strategy of the war, including the situation at Vicksburg, were considerations, the immediate motivations for the invasion were mainly focused on Virginia and the potential for gaining advantages in the conflict through a victorious campaign on Northern soil.