Lee's Decision to Serve Confederacy

The Ken Burn's movie the class watched on the opening battles of the Civil War detailed the decision of General Lee to join the Confederate Army. His decision to rebel against the Union epitomized the feelings of individual southern states towards the Union. Ultimately, Lee decided to put his state above the Union; Lee felt that he could not bear arms against his native state of Virginia, which seceded from the Union. Lee abandoned his position in the US military and accepted the command of Virginia's military forces. Lee was unquestionably the most notable American general during that time period and the South was at clear strategic advantage having Lee as their commander and chief. One possible reason the why the war lasted as long as it did is due to the strategies employed by Lee.