Transcript Strengths of the Union and Confederacy at the Start of

Strengths of the Union and Confederacy at
the Start of the Civil War
• Union Strengths
• 4 times the population (more
soldiers)
• 90% of the factories (more
supplies)
• 70% of the railroads (better
transportation)
• More $
• More farmland & food
• Strong navy & many private
ships
• Confederate Strengths
• Defensive War (less soldiers
required)
• Know the land better
• More motivated defending
their homes
• Southerners had skills
(hunting & horseback riding)
made them good soldiers
• Superior military leadership
• Better Cavalry
Weaknesses of the Union and
Confederacy at the Start of the Civil
War
• Union Weaknesses
• Offensive War need at least
double the number of men to
be successful
• Lack of knowledge of the
land
• Less motivated
• Poor military leadership
• Weaker Cavalry
• Confederate Weaknesses
• Less people (1/3rd enslaved)
• Dependent on others for
supplies (few factories)
• Main crops (Cotton &
Tobacco) are not edible
• Less $
• Few Railroads
• No navy: only a few private
ships
In your judgment, which side was
better prepared to fight a long war?
Why?