CIVIL WAR Today’s LEQ: Was the outcome of the Civil War inevitable?

Let’s Review  During the Antebellum period, there were many events leading up to the Civil War. Some would argue war was inevitable.  But, was it inevitable that the North would win?

Outbreak of the Civil War  At the time of the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861, seven states had seceded from the Union.  States in the upper South faced a difficult decision – to secede or not.  Border States – between the North and South became very important to the North  DE, MD, WV, KY, & MO

Regional Differences  The country, now formally divided between the Union and the Confederacy, braced for war.  Both the North and South had strengths and weaknesses resulting from their regional differences

Regional Differences  More railroads  More factories  Most weapons produced in the North  Better economy  Larger Population  Functioning government and standing army  Plenty of food – more grain production & livestock  More trained officers  Most military schools located in the South  Defensive Position  No reason to invade the North  Knew the terrain  Fighting to preserve their way of life Union StrengthsConfederate Strengths

Regional Differences  Fighting an offensive war  Didn’t know the terrain  Going against some of the best officers in the U.S. army  Less population, railroads, and wealth  Agrarian society  Less weapons manufacturing  Food shortages  focused on cash crops like cotton instead of food crops Union WeaknessesConfederate Weaknesses