The Civil War is said to be one of America's bloodiest wars. Neighbors killed neighbors and brothers killed brothers; the entire nation was divided. Two opposing factions had formed, the North and the South, and each side was led in battle by a powerful general. The North was led by General Ulysses S. Grant and the South was led by General Robert E. Lee. These men were simultaneously similar and different. This is shown in "Grant and Lee: a Study in Contrast" by Bruce Catton. Through Catton's essay it is shown that during the Civil War America was divided and each side lived different lives with different perspectives, while at the same time the leaders of both sides, Grant and Lee, were equally matched and represented the division of 'America. Northern origins and Southern lifestyle created a difference in perspective which was shown through these two leaders. The North was focused on the idea of ​​rebirth and evolution. They had focused less on agriculture and more on manufacturing and developing technology. This change in life created opportunities for any man to potentially work his way up to owning his own factory. Grant, a northerner from the western frontier, learned from this type of life and represented the idea that "life was a competition." Everything a person has achieved has been earned through hard work. The South, however, remains based on agriculture. They believed that change was not necessary because any white man could buy and make a living from his own farm. Furthermore, social status was inherited through bequests of land. There was no need for competition, except perhaps for land or slaves. So, being a Southerner who believed that life should remain... middle of paper... he ended up giving up before the enemy gave up. However, both men leading these sides also had the ability to recognize when war was needed to turn to peace, and both had the ability to cease fighting when this recognition came. As a result of their ability to concede, peace was achieved at Appomattox Courthouse and the Civil War ended. Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee were two equally powerful and matched generals who showed, through themselves, how different each side was. of America was and in this represented the division of America. Although their beliefs and determination to win were strong and similar, ultimately the Northern strategy and resources gained the advantage and they won the war. This conflict was probably the most important war in American history because if the Confederacy had won, America would not be the “United States” it is today.