Tale of the Tape: North vs. South

Population

Union: 22,000,000 including 4 million between the ideal fighting age of 15-40 Confederacy: 9,000,000 including 3.5 million slaves; only about 1,140,000 white men between the ages of 15-40

Presidential Leadership

Union: Abraham Lincoln had a talent for managing men, he acted with confidence and was determined to keep the Union together; used troops to put down draft riots and jailed those who opposed the war; prevented “border states” from seceding Confederacy: Jefferson Davis did not have Lincoln’s energy and certainty; he had trouble getting 11 Confederate States to support the decisions of the central government; he failed to convince Great Britain or France, which needed southern cotton, to enter the war on the side of the Confederacy

Railroads

Extensive rail system capable of moving men and materials Union: Extensive rail system capable of moving men and materials wherever they were needed Confederacy: Had only 28% of the country’s railroads

Farm Acreage

Union: 65% in the North Confederacy: 35% in South

Iron and Steel Production

Union: 93% in North Confederacy: 7% in South

Factories

Union: Confederacy: Had most of the countries skilled workers; turned out all of the weapons, ammunition, woolen clothing, shoes, and other supplies that it needed; could produce 5,000 rifles a day Confederacy: Few factories and skilled workers; Confederate soldiers often lacked shoes, proper clothing, and adequate supplies; never as well equipped as the North; factories could only make 300 rifles a day; dwindling resources weakened the people’s will to fight

Finances

Union: Confederacy: Strong banking system; controlled 70% of the nation’s wealth; increased tariff rates on imports and used an income tax to raise money Confederacy: Had only 30% of the nation’s wealth; foreign bankers refused to make large loans; some states resisted taxation by the Confederate government; paper money was nearly worthless by the end of the war

Officers and Soldiers

Union: Confederacy: Few experienced officers; city dwellers and factory workers needed considerable training to become good soldiers Confederacy: Many of the countries best officers joined the Confederate Army; Southerners were more skilled with guns and horses, and were used to rugged outdoor life

Size of Navy

Union: Confederacy: The Union Navy was already established; it had far more warships and merchant vessels; set up a blockade that virtually stopped the South’s foreign trade Confederacy: Few warships and merchant ships; could not break the Northern blockade and get needed supplies

Familiarity with the Land and Battlefields

Union: Confederacy: Often needed to become familiar with the land and were unfamiliar with the territory since most battles were fought in the South Confederacy: Knew the land very well; The South was fighting to protect its homeland

Battle Strategies Anaconda Plan King Cotton CICERO © 2010 Union General Winfield Scott suggested the Anaconda Plan to halt Southern trade. The plan would impose a blockade. This would eventually enable the North to control the Mississippi River. Meanwhile, the army would divide and isolate sections of the South and capture its vital cities and the capital in Richmond, Virginia. Under General Ulysses S. Grant, the North’s strategy kept pressure on General Robert E. Lee’s army and constantly weakened their numbers. The larger population of the North made this possible. King Cotton The Confederacy adopted a defensive strategy and attempted to secure alliances with more powerful countries such as Britain and France. To do that, the South needed to show it could win the war. As a result, the Confederate army attacked Union territory to draw Union troops away from the South and to impress potential allies. As the war continued, the Southern strategy became one of evading the Union army, prolonging the war, and inflicting casualties to demoralize the North. CICERO © 2010

Weapons of the Civil War canister shot artillery projectile rifled barrel officer’s sword Springfield rifle, 1861 (Union) Although the Union used many types of rifles, this was the most common. British Enfield rifle, 1853 (Confederacy) Although the Confederacy used many types of rifles, this was the most common. minié ball CICERO © 2010

The Underground Railroad The Underground Railroad was a large network of people who helped fugitive slaves escape to the North and to Canada. It is estimated that up to 100,000 slaves escaped the South with the help of “conductors”, or guides. The most famous of these guides was Harriet Tubman. Slaves escaping North would use a series of “stations”, or safe houses to rest in along the route. The paths that slaves traveled towards the North were known as “tracks”. While slavery was outlawed in the North, escaping slaves were not truly free until they reached Canada. Harriet Tubman Lawn Jockeys were used to mark stations on the underground railroad. This quilt shows the track pattern which told escaped slaves that this was a “station”, or safe place.