Union vs. Confederacy Resources

Divided Public Opinion at Home - This side had a very divided public opinion at home. Not everyone supported the war. In fact many people were content to let the United States be divided into two countries.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advantage

• Confederate - Disadvantage

Soldiers were defending own homes and families - The soldiers for this side were fighting on familiar turf. Most of the war would be fought here, so soldiers were defending their own homes and families when they fought.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advantage

• Confederate - Disadvantage

Small Population - This side had much smaller population than the other. In fact it was less than half the total size: 22 million to just 9 million people.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advantage

• Confederate - Disadvantage

Very Skilled, Effective Commanders - The generals from this side were some of the most brilliant military minds America has ever produced. They knew how to inspire their men and make do with what resources they had.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advantage

• Confederate - Disadvantage

13,000 miles of Railroad Tracks - This side in the Civil War had thousands more miles of railroad track than the other. Over 13,000 miles of rail crisscrossed this side which could bring resources quickly where they were needed.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advantage

• Confederate - Disadvantage

Manufactured 9 Times More Goods - This side held a massive advantage when it came to industrial output. The factories in this region manufactured 9 times as much goods as the other. These factory-made goods included weapons of war as well as non-military goods for the civilian population.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advantage

• Confederate - Disadvantage

Weak Commanders at First - When the war began, this side was led by military commanders who were afraid to use many soldiers and often hesitant in battle. They thought the other side did not stand a chance and would easily surrender. As a result, they hesitated to use many troops because they did not want to risk their men’s lives.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advantage

• Confederate - Disadvantage

Controlled Most of the Wealth - This side of the Civil War controlled most all of the nation’s wealth. Most of America’s banking and manufacturing industries were located in this region. As a result, this side had much more money at its disposal.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advantage

• Confederate - Disadvantage

No Army or Navy - When the war began, this side had no organized army or navy. Although a fighting force was quickly assembled, they would need to catch up to the other side’s larger, more prepared fighting forces.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advantage

• Confederate - Disadvantage

Few Supplies for War - When the Civil War began, this side had very few of the military supplies needed to fight a war. Most of America’s armories were located in the other region of the country. As a result, this side lacked guns, cannons, and even military uniforms.

• Union - Advantage

• Union - Disadvantage

• Confederate - Advanatage

• Confederate - Disadvantage