1. Advantages & Disadvantages of the North and South During the Civil War

2. Advantages of the North
Demographics:
22 Million people living in the North
Support of 23 states
Self sufficient in food
Large amount of immigrant labor
Economic Factors:
Many factories producing a wide range of products
Effective banking system
Government backed currency
Produces almost all of it’s own military hardware

3. Advantages of the North
Technology/Education:
Relatively high rate or literacy
Many public schools as well as colleges in numerous states
Military/Navy
16,000 men in army already at start of the war
More then 1 million men enlisted by the end of the war
42 ships at start of the war, 700 by the end
Naval superiority leads to blockade of Southern ports

4. Advantages of the North
Transportation:
21,000 miles of track, 5,000 more built during war
Good canal and road systems
Diplomatic Relations:
After Emancipation Proclamation there was growing European support
Geographic:
Free movement of troops and supplies throughout Union territory during the war
Fighting an offensive war

5. Advantages of the South
Demographic:
Self sufficient in food
Defending their homes and rights
Economic:
None
Technology/Education:
Some great technological achievements such as first iron-clad war ship
Military schools, many good military leaders
Tradition of horsemanship, marksmanship, and outdoor living

6. Advantages of the South
Transportation:
Only 9,000 miles of track
Diplomatic Relations:
Early sympathy for Confederates from Britain and France, because of desire of raw cotton
Political:
None

7. Advantages of the South
Geographic:
Home field advantage
Shorter supply lines

8. Disadvantages of the North
Military/Navy:
Many officers were appointed for political reasons or elected by their men and proved to be ineffective
Many men from towns and cities not used to firearms, horses, and camp life
Diplomatic Relations:
Relations with Europe was not good at start of war

9. Disadvantages of the North
Geographic:
Supply lines are long and not as stable

10. Disadvantages of the South
Demographic:
Only 11 states with a population of 9 million people
Little immigration because of lack of economic opportunities
Economic:
Limited factories
Few banks
Reliance on imported goods
Confederate bonds produce little revenue

11. Disadvantages of the South
Technology/Education:
Reliance on human power and handcrafting
Little emphasis on education, few colleges and universities
Military/Navy:
No army at start of war
No navy at start or war, concentrated on blockade running

12. Disadvantages of the South
Transportation:
Only 9,000 miles of track, much was destroyed in the war
Dependent on river and coastal transportation
Diplomatic Relations:
Little material support from other countries

13. Disadvantages of the South
Political:
Has to create a national government from scratch
Doctrine of States’ Right’s lead to problems between Jefferson Davis and state leaders

14. Northern Military Strategies
On the offensive
Three Points: (The Anaconda Plan)
Take Richmond
Control Mississippi River and split Confederacy
Naval Blockade to stop trade with Europe

15. Southern Military Strategy
Defend their land and live independently in peace