Why the North Won the Civil War

Just judging from the “tale of the tape” immediately before the Second American Revolution broke out, it is amazing that the South managed to battle so valiantly for so long, dragging out the fight for several years, before finally being forced to give in to the North. The North possessed a tremendous numerical superiority, industrial advantages that allowed them to gain a technological advantage, and a complex system of railways and canals that allowed for easy transportation of troops and equipment. It was these logistical advantages that gave them the edge over the South to win the war, and they proved ultimately more valuable than brilliant officers, skilled soldiers, and popular support; all of which the South had in its corner.

Cultural differences between the North and South dating back to the colonial era certainly were a factor contributing to the outbreak of war, but they indirectly contributed to its outcome as well. The South always had a strong desire to preserve its agricultural roots, rather than rapidly moving towards manufacturing, and industry, as the North did. During the years preceding the war, the North experienced a sudden influx of European immigrants, who quickly found low-paying jobs in factories. These

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This further hindered the already disunited South, and allowed the North to utilize the full potential of its massive army. However, the North also had the edge in this category, with its intricate canal system, and 22,000 miles of railway upon which to move goods and soldiers. Grant, or “the Butcher” as he was infamously known amongst soldiers, to continue to throw waves upon waves of troops at the Confederate army, with many getting slaughtered until sheer manpower overcame the rebels.

The Civil War was certainly inevitable, as was its outcome. The North had every conceivable numerical advantage; yet due to general disdain for armed conflict, and a sense of Vietnam-esque apathy of Union soldiers at times, the war was able to rage on for years, rather than be decided with a few lopsided battles. It was a point of pride amongst Confederate soldiers that due to their superior rifle skill, any one of them was guaranteed to kill at least two Union soldiers. Even though they had the abundance of resources, supplying them to the troops was another challenge entirely. The South was severely lacking in this category, with its mere 9,000 miles of track, and before a national railway standard was implemented, the tracks were different in different regions, hindering transportation. Much like the first American Revolution, the second involved a loosely connected band of ill-equipped states seceding from the powerful mother nation, attempting to achieve independence from their oppressors. This new Confederacy was ill equipped to be an independent nation; they were merely a collection of agricultural states. Lincoln did the best he could to maintain popular support for the war in the North, but striking a balance between appeasing Union citizens, satisfying his own moral reservations, and maintaining military strength proved to be an arduous task.

Communication is key to winning any war, and once again, the North had the advantage. The United States is feeling the repercussions of that dreadful war to this day, and the antebellum Southern culture still has its impact on domestic politics today.

Napoleon Bonaparte once noted that “an army travels on its stomach”.

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