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One reason was pragmatism. Grant did not want to take prisoners, and did not think the Union was in any danger from Confederates who had surrendered.
Also, both Grant and Lee felt that this was a historic moment, and it brought out the noble side in both of them. It was a moment for gracious and magnanimous gestures.
Most likely, Grant was apalled by the Horror of the Civil War, and he wanted it concluded as quickly as possible. There were certainly other Union generals who hated the South so much that they would have tried to impose stricter terms, but my understanding of Grant is that he simply wanted an end to the war, and he offered generous terms that Lee would readily accept. I think it is also possible that Grant never lost sight of the tragedy that this war was a civil war with Americans fighting Americans, while other Union generals despised the Confederacy even more than they would have hated a foreign enemy. I think that Grant sometimes had to strike a fine balance between his humanitarianism and his military pragmatism, but the generous terms he offered to Lee were one instance when these two qualities were in concert.
The men of the Army of Northern Virginia were only required to hand over their weapons and go home peacefully. There would be no prisoners taken, no charges of treason, and no persecution afterwards.
This was a remarkably favourable deal, and Lee responded to it by forbidding any idea of taking to the hills and carrying on guerrilla warfare, as some of his officers were urging.
At Appomattox, both men felt the solemnity of the moment, and it brought out the noble side in both of them.
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What were grants generous terms of surrender and how were they important steps toward reconciliation?
The soldiers surrender to be paroled and won't take arms up again and all arms, and ammunition. The civility led to reconciliation.
Who gave generous terms of surrender at Appomattox?
Ulysses S. Grant
Who wrote the terms of surrender?
Ulysses S. Grant wrote the terms of surrender.
How did General Grant's terms of surrender promote reconciliation between the north and the south?
The terms were remarkably generous. He just told Lee's army to hand in their weapons, sign the parole, and go home - and if they did that, they would not be persecuted, and Lee would not be arrested. It silenced those Confederate officers who were urging the men to take to the hills and conduct guerrila operations.
Who said No terms except immediate and unconditional surrender''?
U.S. Grant
What were grants generous terms of surrender and how were they important steps toward reconciliation?
The soldiers surrender to be paroled and won't take arms up again and all arms, and ammunition. The civility led to reconciliation.
What were Grants's generous terms of surrender and how were they important steps toward reconciliation?
The soldiers surrender to be paroled and won't take arms up again and all arms, and ammunition. The civility led to reconciliation.
Who gave generous terms of surrender at Appomattox?
Ulysses S. Grant
What is the importance of the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House?
The surrender , along with the generous peace terms , marked the end of the American Civil War and the beginning of peace .
How would you describe general grants terms on the surrendering confederate soldiers?
He was known as "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.
How could grant's acceptance of the surrender of Robert e lee's army be described as gracious?
His terms were extremely generous - if the men simply handed in their weapons, they could go home and not face persecution in the future. The surrender ceremony was also conducted in a particularly gracious atmosphere. These two very different men seemed to realize that this was a historic moment, and it brought out the noble quality in both of them.
What terms of surrender did Grant offer to Lee?
Grant will give them food and let them go back home. i got my answer from a civil war book. its not what is said above! This is what the terms really were: "Grant's terms were generous. The Confederate soldiers had to lay down their arms, but then were free to go home."
What were the terms of the surrender at Appomattox?
Remarkably generous. Grant told Lee that if his men handed in their weapons and went home, they would not be persecuted, and there would be no hanging or jailing of leaders.
What were Grant's generous terms of surrender and how were they important steps toward reconciliation?
The terms of surrender were that the men were free to go home, they could keep their horses to use for farming, and they were permitted to keep their sidearms. A sidearm (sword or pistol) is generally a defensive weapon- and it meant that Gen. Lee would not surrender his sword to Gen. Grant- a symbolic act of surrender. The men surrendering realized they were being given good treatment.
What were the terms of Robert E. Lee's surrender to Grant?
Grant gave Lee generous terms of surrender. The Confederate Army of Northern Viginia was fed (at that time they were starving because of the Confederacy's lack of supplies), allowed to keep their weapons, and sent home. It is interesting to note that when Lee came to Appomattox Court House to surrender to Grant, Grant was so excited to meet the famous general that Lee had to remind him that they were there to arrange a surrender.
Who wrote the terms of surrender?
Ulysses S. Grant wrote the terms of surrender.
What terms of surrender did grant offer of lee?
Grant will give them food and let them go back home. i got my answer from a civil war book. its not what is said above! This is what the terms really were: "Grant's terms were generous. The Confederate soldiers had to lay down their arms, but then were free to go home."
