The weakening of the Confederate government and military capabilities leading to the eventual surrender can be attributed to several interrelated factors:
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Declining Morale and Loss of Will to Fight: As the war dragged on, the Confederate populace and soldiers experienced profound fatigue. Many began to lose faith in the Confederacy's chances of victory, leading to a growing number of soldiers and civilians choosing to lay down their arms and surrender rather than continue fighting.
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Military Defeats: The Confederacy suffered significant military losses towards the end of the war. Major battles, such as those at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, resulted in substantial troop losses and territorial gains for the Union. By 1865, the Confederacy was unable to mount effective counteroffensives and was increasingly cornered on the battlefield.
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Economic Hardship: The Southern economy was devastated by the war effort. Inflation skyrocketed, and essential supplies became increasingly scarce. Blockades by the Union navy severely limited the Confederacy's ability to trade and replenish resources, leading to food shortages and unrest among the population. This created additional pressure on the Confederate government, which struggled to maintain support.
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Divisions Within the South: As defeat became more apparent, divisions within the Confederate leadership and among the populace deepened. There were internal disagreements about strategy and governance, weakening the overall unity that had initially characterized the Confederacy.
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Union Military Pressure: The Union's relentless military campaigns, including General Ulysses S. Grant's strategy of engaging Lee's forces at every opportunity, put immense pressure on Confederate armies. By April 1865, Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia found themselves surrounded by Union forces near Appomattox, drastically reducing any remaining options for continued resistance.
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Surrender at Appomattox: Faced with a dire situation in which escape was impossible and the chances for reinforcements were negligible, Lee ultimately decided to surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. This pivotal moment symbolized the collapse of the Confederate military resistance and set in motion the end of the Civil War.
Overall, the multifaceted issues of military defeat, economic distress, and declining morale contributed significantly to the Confederate government's inability to sustain its war efforts, leading to the option of surrender.