At the begining of the Civil War, why did both the North and South feel confident that they would win the war?

Answer 1

The soldiers of the North believed they were fighting to preserve the Union (which represented the whole of the United States as it existed at the time). The soldiers of the South were fighting for the right of secession, and the freedom of self-determination, as they felt that the Federal Government had become to powerful and was over-stepping it's consitutional limits.

In specific, the war was not originally over slavery, but over whether or not a man had the right to own property that he could do with as he chose without government interference. Ever hear of a zoning ordinance? They did not exist in the South before the Civil War - and the people of the South did not want them. The reasoning is that if someone else can tell you how you can or can not use your property, then it is not yours - it's theirs, because (much like a king) THEY decide what is done with it.

Answer 2

The North had industrial fervor that the South couldn't match. The mobility of the Northern-controlled rail system and international recognition from other countries such as France was also on the Union's side.

In contrast many of the already serving regular officers in the U.S. military were a tightly nit network of southern gentleman, who each had their own network of southern gentleman and so forth. Not to mention they were on their "home-turf", and said turf featured war-nurishing, self-sustaining crops that the North didn't have.

In short the South had better generals and a more tanacious cause, as well as the ability to persuade men en masse in very short order; whereas the North had the capability of international arms and monitary support, as well as the ability to manufacture warships and artillary that the South couldn't match.

Answer 3

the north had the advantage of the industrial age and progression so they went in knowing that was on there side as well as the president trying to keep the union together. The south had the long standing traditons that had been uphelpd for many years.

Answer 4

Well that seems to be why they had the war in the first place. They couldn't agree and they both felt that they were in the right.

Answer 5

No one ever go's to war think they will lose!