Population
In some ways, northern expectations for a quick victory were reasonable, because the Union
possessed overwhelming material advantages over the South. In 1861, the total population of the
Union was around 22
...
Population
In some ways, northern expectations for a quick victory were reasonable, because the Union
possessed overwhelming material advantages over the South. In 1861, the total population of the
Union was around 22 million, compared to 9 million in the Confederacy. This statistic becomes
even more impressive when one considers that 3.5 million of the Confederacy’s people were
slaves, people clearly unwilling to fight on behalf of the perpetuation of slavery. In terms of
military-age white males, the Union outnumbered the Confederacy four to one.
Materials and Industry
The northern states had other advantages as well. The North had an existing navy and produced
more firearms than the South. It also produced more of the essential provisions of war, including
coal, textiles, corn, and wheat. By all estimates, the North was better able to outfit its men with
weapons, clothing, shoes, and food. The North also had a more extensive network of railroad lines
for transporting those supplies and a larger pool of money to finance its war effort. The Union
possessed about $200 million in bank deposits, while the Confederacy had only $47 million.
Southern Advantages
Will to Fight
The Confederacy did have certain strengths, however. Three of these advantages were vitally
important. First, northerners severely underestimated the southern will to fight. While only
slaveholders had taken the lead in the secession movement, by April 1861, most southerners
supported the bid for Confederate independence, and they were willing to fight to win it.
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