Why Did The South Win The Civil War

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Becky Esquenazi APUSH ESSAY Although the South’s devotion to states’ rights was a major reason the South fought the Civil War, it was not a major reason for their failure to win as evidence by economic, military, and diplomatic issues. The Confederate States of America, led by Jefferson Davis, was formed by Southern states that had pledged to secede from the union if Lincoln had won. After his success in the presidential election of 1860, the Confederate States seceded that same year. On the other hand, the Union was led by its president, Abraham Lincoln. The Civil War broke out at Ft. Sumter, South Carolina when Abraham Lincoln sent a shit to supply the Northern fort there. The South was quickly angered, and opened fire on April…show more content…
The Northern military of the North was much stronger than that of the South. Although the South did have much better leaders like General Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. Jackson, the North’s war tactics ultimately allowed them to win the war. The North had a far greater population than the South, which was very useful for the army. In comparison, 12.8 percent of the South’s population was the African American slaves. The Southerners feared sending them to war and handing them weapons, in fear that they would run away or even come back to kill their masters. As well, many the borders states fought for the North in effort to unify the country. Although the belief that the South would win because they only had to protect their land, and not conquer any, this did not occur. The South was much more prepared than the North for military life, but the North quickly adapted and became known for the determination and discipline. Also, during the period of 1861-1865, many immigrants arrived from Britain, Ireland and Germany. They were soon enlisted to the Union Army, and took up about one-fifth of the army. Although they did not lack in military experience, as the war continued, the South began to need more and more supplies that were simply not being supplied to them. This benefited the Union drastically. The Confederates were dying of hunger because of the lacking food supplies necessary to survive. The North also had a strong navy, which enforced the naval blockade of the South. This benefited the North tremendously, because they were blocking any foreign help and supplies from getting to the South, as well as any cotton from being able to be sold in return for supplies or money. As well, the North had great military tactics for the war. The Anacoda Plan, proposed by General Winfield Scott planned to emphasize the blockade of the Southern ports, and go
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