From: Dustin Hurt
Date: 4/17/00
Time: 7:58:14 PM
Remote Name: 155.247.31.29
At the start of the American Civil War each side possessed certain advantages. Some advantages were obvious while others were only seen after time. The North had the majority of American industrial might. It had a large advantage in rail capacity, factory buildings, banks, shipping, and manpower. These advantages helped mobilize the economy in time of war. The solid banks of the North prevented the high inflation that the South experienced. In fact, inflation had gone up 9,000 time by the end of the war. The transportation advantages helped Union quartermasters supply large armies rather easily. Through out the war, poor railroads and a lack of supplies troubled the South. The Northern navy and the lack of a Confederate one created a solid blockade that the South was never able to recover from. The South never had enough resources or the manpower to have a strong navy. The North also found strength in their government. The Confederacy had to from a new government on the eve of war. The hastiness in which the Southern government was conceived may have been its most profound weakness. Jefferson Davis, who was probably a poor choice for president in the first place, had continuous problems with the members of his cabinet and his top generals. Davis also ran into problems with "States’ Rights". On several occasions he had to compromise with the governor of a state on an important issues. It would seem logical then that Lincoln is viewed as a Northern strength. Many believe that Lincoln’s personality was a great aid to the Union war effort.