Why Did the South Lose the Civil War Essay - 682 Words

Why did the South Lose the Civil War? Beginning as a battle of army versus army, the war became a conflict of society against society. In this kind of war, the ability to mobilize economic resources, the effectiveness of political leadership, and a society’s willingness to keep up the fight despite setbacks, are as crucial to the outcome as success or failure on the battlefields. Unfortunately for the Southern planters, by the spring of 1865, the South was exhausted, and on April 9, Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the war. Economically, the war was a benefit for the North and a disaster for the South. The North began the war with several advantages. The North held a distinct lead in nearly every†¦show more content†¦This was ironic, because a strong central government was what the South needed, but what Abraham Lincoln had in the North. Abraham Lincoln also offered a better explanation to his own people of what they were fighting for. He displayed this leadership through his progressive steps towards emancipation, one early example being the contrabands of war. The army and congress determined that they would not return escaped slaves who went to Union lines and classified them as contraband. They used many as laborers to support Union efforts and soon began to pay them wages. This would seem exceedingly important as the war turned into one against slavery. Despite the lack of economic and political power, the South was also at a loss of collective will. Certainly the course of the war, the military events, had a lot to do with the loss of will. The Southerners hoped that they would win spectacular victories on Northern soil, and that they would be able to exhaust the will of the Northern people, and they failed to do so. The battle of Gettysburg with the largest number of casualties is often described as the war’s turning point. The Union defeated attacks lead by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, ending Lees invasion of the North. With regard to military turning points, the outcome of the war also became inevitable in November 1864 with the reelection of Lincoln and the utter determination to see the things through, and the finding of leader U.S. Grant, the man toShow MoreRelatedWhy Did the South Lose the Civil War Essay1822 Words   |  8 PagesA frequently, and sometimes hotly, discussed subject; the outcome of the American Civil War has fascinated historians for generations. Some argue that the Norths economic advantages proved too much for the South, others that Southern strategy was faulty, offensive when it should have been defensive, and vice-versa. Internal division in the South is often referred to, and complaints made against Davis somewhat makeshift, inexperienced, government. Doubts are sometimes raised over the commitmentRead MoreEssay about Did the North Win the Civil War before it Began?1099 Words   |  5 PagesDid the North Win the Civil War before it Began?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I agree with the idea that the North had won the Civil War before it began to the extent of Lincoln’s conservative political stands. Trying to receive the favor of the South while winning in the North would require Lincoln to take neutral stands in heated political issues like slavery. It wasn’t really wan by the North until he broke away from these stands to enact the Emancipation Proclamation and turn the tides of war in favor of the NorthRead MoreTo What Extent Do You Agree or Disagree with the Idea That the North H1086 Words   |  5 PagesI agree with the idea that the North had won the Civil War before it began to the extent of Lincoln s conservative political stands. Trying to receive the favor of the South while winning in the North would require Lincoln to take neutral stands in heated political issues like slavery. It wasn t really wan by the North until he broke away from these stands to enact the Emancipation Proclamation and turn the tides of war in favor of the North. This Lincoln always publicly condemned the abolitionistsRead MoreWhy Did The North Win The Civil War?1730 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Why did the North win the Civil War?† is only half of a question by itself, for the other half is â€Å"Why did the South lose the Civil War?† To this day historians have tried to put their finger on the exact reason for the South losing the war. Some historians blame the head of the confederacy Jefferson Davis; however others believe that it was the shear numbers of the Union (North). The advantages and disadvantages are abundant on either sides of the argument, but the most dominate arguments on whyRead MoreThe North s Technological Advances939 Words   |  4 PagesThe North’s Technological Advances The Civil War was a time of one country divided among itself because of the freedoms of slaves. When Abe Lincoln was first elected that was the South’s turning point but the attack on Fort Wagner was the beginning battle to a war between States. One result of the Civil War was that Congress put into action the 13th amendment, banning slavery. The North were fighting for the freedom of slaves while on the other hand the South opposed this and fought to keep slaveryRead MoreSlavery Issues Of Slavery Between North And South848 Words   |  4 PagesIssues The issues of slavery between North and South was indirectly the cause of the beginning of civil war. Since the North changed their minds about the black population, they had a difficult time with the South, with they believe that Africans had to serve white people. So the problem between the North and South wasn’t something new, it was happening since the government was trying to prevent spread out of the slavery across America, as a result, South started to create, manipulate, and change theRead MoreEssay on Why The North Won the Civil War1518 Words   |  7 PagesIf wars are won by riches, there can be no question why the North eventually prevailed. The North was better equipped than the South, with the resources necessary to be successful in a long term war like the Civil War was, which was fought from 1861 Ââ€" 1865. Prior, and during the Civil war, the Norths economy was always stronger than the Souths, boasting of resources that the Confederacy had no means of attai ning. Compared to the South, The North had more factories available for production ofRead MoreWhat Caused The Union Of Lose The Civil War?1139 Words   |  5 PagesCaused the Union to Lose the Civil War? By Amelia E. Hicks On April 10, 1865, General Ulysses S. Grant surrendered to General Robert E. Lee of Confederate forces and delivered a farewell address to his Union soldiers, â€Å"After four years of tiring service, marked by supreme courage and commitment,† said Grant, â€Å"the Union Army has been forced to concede to overwhelming numbers and resources.† According to Grant, the Union lost the Civil War, more commonly referred to in its time as the â€Å"War of Northern AggressionRead MoreAnalysis Of James Mcpherson s What They Fought For 1861-1865 933 Words   |  4 PagesJames McPherson the author of What They Fought For 1861-1865, thesis states that the soldiers from both the North and South fought for a large extent for ideology, and not exclusively as brothers in war with other soldiers, for principles of strength or courage, and for the nations of honor and duty. McPherson uses hundreds of letters and diaries from soldiers from both the Union and Confederate troops to show t heir experience. He tries to focus on a variety of attitudes and motives from the volunteerRead MoreSilent Sam, By Julia Craven908 Words   |  4 PagesUniversity of North Carolina’s campus built to honor students who left school and fought in the Civil War. The Civil War was a war between the northern and southern states fought over slavery. Many students now think that the statue is offensive because the people that it honors fought for the South and supported slavery. Silent Sam was erected in 1913 for 321 UNC students who fought in the Civil War. It’s called Silent Sam because he has no ammunition so he’s quiet and then just Sam. The university