AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Civil War Advantages & Disadvantages (Day 136/309)

Hey APUSHers, let’s chat about Civil War Advantages and Disadvantages as part of my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

Homefront, National Park Service

At the outset of the war, the Union had considerable advantages. Not only was their population 4x greater, but they also had an established government and military. Additionally, the North had 85% of the nation’s factories and 70% of its railroads.

Anaconda Plan, Wikimedia Commons

However, weak military leadership, northern opposition to the war, and the more difficult offensive strategy made it difficult for the Union to win quickly and decisively.

Enlistment Strength, National Park Service

The Confederacy was plagued by low enlistments, economic difficulties, and the challenge of creating a new government and military.

Confederate Generals, Wikimedia Commons

However, the expertise of Confederate generals, defensive strategy, and hope for European alliances due to their reliance on Southern cotton, made the South a more formidable adversary than the North expected.

While the Union maintained significant economic and demographic advantages, their weak military leadership created many challenges. The Confederacy waged a defensive war led by strong military generals but over time could not make up for their decreased manpower and finances.

Join me tomorrow as I explain Northern Opposition in the Civil War in the next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!