The Opposing Sides

The United States Civil War Begins, 1860 - 1861

Robert E. Lee

Robert E. Lee was considered the finest leader of the United States military in 1861, as the Civil War was inaugurated. Lee was offered control over the Union Army during the war, but refused the position, claiming that he could never fight against his home state.

The South and the North

Military Colleges The majority of the

military colleges in the United States, including the Virginia Military Institute and the Citadel, were located in the South. West Point was in the North, but a proud tradition of military participation existed in the South.

The Navy The United States

Navy, on the other hand, was securely under the control of the Union. Almost all of the naval bases and navy shipyards remained loyal to the Union, even in areas which had seceded from the Union.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The North had a population of over 22 Million people, and almost all of them were free.

Over ninety percent (90%) of the nation’s manufacturing capacity was in the North as well – in terms of clothing, shoes, and pig iron, for example.

The South had a population of only nine million people, and over four million of those individuals were enslaved.

The South was unable to manufacture military necessities like uniforms, shoes, bullets, and other mechanized weaponry. They had few factories.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Both the Union and the Confederacy could produce enough food.

The North had double the miles of railroad tracks which the South had – making their soldiers and their equipment much more mobile.

Both the Union and the Confederacy could produce enough food.

The South had only half of the miles of railroad tracks which the North had – making their soldiers and their equipment far less mobile.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The North controlled the banking industry, and most of the nation’s wealth in terms of specie and bank guaranteed currency. This allowed the government to spend more on the war effort.

Although many of the nation’s wealthiest people were Southerners, much of the Confederacy’s wealth was invested in land and slaves. They had a much smaller capacity to spend money and to raise it.

Lincoln and the Radical Republicans

Although Lincoln was an enormously popular President in some regions, many men within his own party – men like Thaddeus Stevens, for example – did not think his policies were strong enough.

Copperheads Democrats in the West

often favored compromise with the South in order to end the war – some even offered independence to the Confederacy. Almost all copperheads opposed the draft – or conscription of soldiers – and the declaration of martial law (including the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus) by Lincoln.

The Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus

During his time as President, Abraham Lincoln routinely suspended the writ of habeas corpus. Usually, this allows men and women to hear the charges against them and allows them a fair trial. But during the Civil War, thousands were imprisoned for articulating views against the Union – whether they had violated the law or not!

Dissent Against Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis faced dissent within his Confederacy throughout the war. Not surprisingly, the states rights oriented government had a difficult time collecting taxes and when Davis advocated conscription of soldiers.

England and France Like the United States

during the Revolutionary War, the Confederacy sought outside aide in order to when the war. Because both England and France depended upon Southern cotton to fuel their economies, they believed that one of the two nations may intervene. The Union had placed a blockade around the South, cutting off all trade, and damaging European economies.

The Trent Affair When the United States

Navy intercepted a British vessel with two Confederate diplomats – John Slidell and James Mason – on board, England’s national pride was insulted. Abraham Lincoln was able to negotiate a workable solution by releasing the diplomats and the English vessel; however, England considered intervention on behalf of the South during the incident.

Conoidal Bullets and Accurate Rifles

Conoidal bullets were much more accurate and had greater range than the balls which had been used prior to their invention. The ability to inflict more casualties in battle favored the North – with its larger population. Every draw was a victory for the Union, since they outnumbered the South by more than 2 to 1.

A Defensive War of Attrition

From Jefferson Davis’s perspective, the war was already won. The Confederacy already had its independence, and they did not have to conquer the North. If they could defend themselves, prolong the war, and either (a) win over Peace Democrats or (b) win over a European ally, they were certain to win!

The Anaconda Plan General Winfield Scott

anticipated a long war, and advised a long term strategy to bring the South to it’s knees. First, he sought to establish a blockade around the South using the US Navy. Next, control the Mississippi River. Finally, divided the South, and pressure its capital city in Richmond, VA.