Download Strengths Weaknesses atkins 2013

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By the time Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as president in March of 1861, South Carolina and six other states had seceded from the Union; they
formed their own country called the Confederate States of America (CSA). A constitution had been adopted which protected slavery, guaranteed
states’ rights, and abolished the protective tariff (a tax on imports that was a major bone of contention between north and south).
Lincoln was faced with a major crisis. In his First Inaugural Address, he spoke directly to the rebellious South, reminding them that his oath of office
required him to “preserve, protect and defend the Union.” But his appeal fell on deaf ears. The Confederate government had already seized most of
the forts, post offices and arsenals located in the seven states that had seceded. Only two forts located in these rebellious states were in Union
hands. One was Fort Sumter, located in the harbor in Charleston, South Carolina. Confederate President Jefferson Davis demanded that federal
troops evacuate Sumter. Major Robert Anderson, the fort’s Union commander, refused to leave. In response, the Confederates ringed the harbor
with cannon. Fort Sumter’s supply of food was running low, and President Lincoln, acting against the advice of his Cabinet, ordered a US ship to take
in yum yums and other supplies. Confederate President Jefferson Davis regarded Lincoln’s supply ship as an act of war. The Union was told to
surrender the fort or be fired upon. They didn’t surrender. At 4:30am, April 12th 1861, the war began. Game on.
As news of the attack reached the North, it brought determined reaction. Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to enlist in the Union Army. The entire
North was united in its support for Lincoln. But the call to arms prompted four more Southern states to secede from the Union (that makes 11)!
Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses:
When the Civil War began, people in the Union states expected a quick victory. Lincoln himself asked for volunteers to serve just 3 months. A close
look at strengths and weaknesses of the two sides makes it easy to see why the odds favored the Union for a quick victory (not a 4 year struggle!)
Your Job:
For each of the areas on the back of this page, decide whether the Union and Confederacy were strong or weak in that particular category. For a
super strong rating, give a 3. For a super weak rating, give a 0 (scale is 0-3). After you have awarded points to each side in all ten areas of comparison,
look again at the categories and decide which THREE might have the greatest effect on the outcome of the war. Circle your choices. Now change
your scoring on just those three by multiplying the points you gave to each side by 3. Example: if you gave Union 3 for “size of navy,” and the
Confederates 1, you’d change your #s to 9 and 3. Tactics, comrades, tactics!).
Finally, after changing the points in those three chosen categories, add up ALL the points for both sides. Your total will predict which side will win the
war!
Area of
Comparison
1. Population
Union
22,000,000, including 4,000,000 between ideal
fighting age of 15 and 40
U. Score
Confederacy
9,000,000 including 3,500,000 slaves; only
about 1,140,000 white men between 15 and
40
Jefferson Davis did not have Lincoln’s energy
or certainty; he had trouble getting the 11
Confederate states to support his decisions;
he failed to get the support of Great Britain
or France in money or supplies
2. Presidential
Leadership
Abraham Lincoln had a talent for managing men;
he acted with confidence and was determined to
keep the Union intact. He used troops to put
down draft riots and jailed those in border states
who favored secession.
3. Railroad Mileage
Extensive-- had almost 70% of railroad—could
move men and supplies wherever needed
65% (mostly in food)
93%
About 30% of railroads were in South
Had most of the country’s factories; they could
make weapons, ammo, clothing, shoes etc—
could produce 5,000 rifles a day!
Strong banking system; controlled 70% of
nation’s wealth; the protective tariff on imports
and income tax on citizens gave them money to
spend
Few factories or skilled workers-- could
produce 300 rifles a day
4. Farm Acreage
5. Iron and Steel
Production
6. Factories
7. Finances
8. Size of Navy
9. Officers and
Soldiers
Union navy already established; it had warships
and merchant vessels. They blockaded Southern
ports to choke off trade.
Few experienced officers-- many city + factory
workers who needed a lot of training!
10. Familiarity with
Land
Lacked familiarity-- most battles fought down
South
Union Total Here:
35% (cotton, tobacco, indigo…)
7%
Had 30% of nations wealth (their $ was tied
up in cotton and slaves!); foreign banks
refused to give large loans needed; they
printed their own $, but it was worthless by
the end of the war
Few warships or merchant vessels- couldn’t
break the Union blockade to get muchneeded supplies
Many of South’s best officers joined the
Confederate Army- Southern boys/men
grew up with guns, horses, and outdoors
Knew land well and were fighting to protect
it
Confed. Total Here:
C. Score