Score Big on HISET Social Studies 2025 – Challenge Yourself and Win!

Robert E. Lee served as a Confederate General during the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. He is best known for commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, the primary military force of the Confederate States in the Eastern Theater of the war. Lee's military strategies and leadership played a significant role in several key battles, such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Antietam.

His decision to join the Confederacy was influenced by his loyalty to his home state of Virginia, which seceded from the Union. Lee remains a controversial figure in American history, admired by some for his military prowess, while others criticize his commitment to the Confederate cause.

Understanding Lee’s position as a Confederate General helps contextualize not only his actions during the Civil War but also the broader conflict between the Union and the Confederacy, which centered around issues of states' rights, slavery, and national unity.