From an overarching context, this presentation was an analysis of the Appomattox meeting between Robert E. Lee and U.S. Grant that symbolized the end of the Civil War. This presentation was displayed by Dr. Elizabeth Varon, who is not only an expert in her field, but an accomplished woman on multiple accounts. Dr. Varon began her presentation with a general summary of the Appomattox meeting on April 9, 1865. As previously mentioned, the two leaders involved in this military agreement was the surrendered Robert E. Lee who represented the South, and Ulysses S. Grant who represented the North in the Civil War. The American people, according to Dr. Varon, are aware of the general nature of the Appomattox meeting, but by analyzing that interaction we …show more content…
Beginning with Lee, her presentation centered around his viewpoint of honorable defeat and his hopes that peace would restore to the south the prosperity and influence that occurred before the American people drifted away from the principles of the Virginia founders. However, despite this continued view of peace and harmony, Lee actually symbolized measured defiance instead of submission. He also believed that the Southern army was completely blameless for their actions in the war. She then gave insight into Grant’s perspective of vindication. While he disagreed with practically every idea proposed by Lee, his main goal in the surrender was for the South to eventually thrive once again. His act of mercy not only displayed his magnanimous views of the south, but also vindicated all previous negative opinions about his character. So, while Lee’s key word was restoration, Grant’s was vindication. Lastly, African Americans viewed this surrender as a hope for liberation and freedom. She then described how the North initially viewed African American soldiers as a social experiment to determine if they would be good