Describe the advantages that the Union had over the Confederacy at the outset of the Civil War?

Answer 1

The Union had a great many built in advantages. For one, the US or Union was an established country with a long standing government, dept.'s of government and a ready built machinery for generating revenue, taxing etc. The Confederacy had to set all of these up and experiment with new departments of government like taxation and finance. Next, the Union had a much larger population base from which to draw both soldiers and necessary laborers for war production. They had a much bigger industrial capacity with functioning factories producing both consumer and war goods. The South had to continue importing from Europe against the Union blockade of the coastlines. The North or Union had most of the natural resources including coal, iron, copper and other metals needed for war production. Finally, as an established state the Union had diplomatic contacts with other countries, an established Navy and a worldwide diplomatic core, all lacking in the South. Lastly, there was the worldwide perception that the North or Union was fighting on the side of right against slavery and the breakaway states. The Confederacy with all those deficits at the beginning of the war should have folded in less than a year; however, they went on to win most of the early military victories and it took the North over five years to starve and strangle the South. The reason, the South had a great fighting spirit that translated from the best generals to each and every soldier. They turned disadvantages into power by sheer bravery and courage. With all its advantages, the union came very close to losing the war. Very interesting question.

Answer 2

simply put the north 1) had more people
2) was the center of the nations industry- can't build weapons, ships, railroads, without factories

Answer 3

Shear numbers, better supply lines, more factories, better weapons, plenty of Irish to send to die for the USA, and the stupidest generals ever....