Union vs. Confederacy: Civil War Strengths & Weaknesses

Union Strengths

Strong central government (Lincoln's leadership), International recognition (no foreign aid to CSA), Controlled U.S. Navy & federal institutions

Union Weaknesses

Divided public opinion (Copperheads, anti-war Democrats)

Confederacy Strengths

Unified cause (defense of slavery & states' rights), Experienced politicians (e.g., Jefferson Davis)

Confederacy Weaknesses

Weak central government (states resisted conscription/taxes), No international recognition (failed Cotton Diplomacy)

Union Economic Strengths

85% of U.S. industry (factories, railroads), Stable currency & banking system, Larger population (22M vs. 9M, incl. 3.5M enslaved)

Union Economic Weaknesses

Relied on Southern cotton for textiles

Confederacy Economic Strengths

Cotton exports (hoped for European support), Agricultural self-sufficiency (food crops)

Confederacy Economic Weaknesses

Limited industry (few factories, railroads), Hyperinflation (worthless Confederate dollar), Blockade crippled trade (Anaconda Plan)

Union Military Strengths

Larger army/navy (2.1M troops by 1865), Controlled railroads & telegraphs, More weapons production

Union Military Weaknesses

Poor initial leadership (e.g., McClellan's hesitancy), Unfamiliar Southern terrain

Confederacy Military Strengths

Defensive war (home terrain advantage), Skilled officers (Lee, Jackson, Stuart), Motivated soldiers (fighting for independence)

Confederacy Military Weaknesses

Smaller army (750K-1M troops), Few railroads/supplies, No navy (blockade devastating)

Copperheads

Northern Democrats who opposed the war.

Cotton Diplomacy

Confederate strategy to gain British/French support.

States' Rights

Southern justification for secession.

King Cotton

Southern belief in cotton's economic leverage.

Anaconda Plan

Union blockade to strangle the South.

Greenbacks

Union's stable paper currency.

Robert E. Lee

Confederate general (victories at Bull Run/Chancellorsville).

Ulysses S. Grant

Union general (aggressive tactics).

Total War

Sherman's March to the Sea (1864).