Question: Explain why the North won the CW. Under what conditions could the South have won?The North won the Civil War because of its many advantages. It was the Norths military, economic and political advantages that gave them the victory. First, Jefferson Davis was being criticized by many members of the Confederate Congress and even lacked support from his cabinet. The south insisted on having strong state government which made it difficult for Davis to conduct the war with weakened authority. Lincoln did have problems but managed to keep the war effort strong. He was opposed by most of his cabinet, but was the commander-in-chief of the Union Army; therefore having more control unlike Jefferson Davis. (www.neh.gov/news)Second, Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation, setting African Americans free in the Union. This allowed blacks to join the Union Army, helping to increase the troop numbers. Both sides started the draft; the South did not get a strong response because people could buy their way out of the draft. The Norths ranks filled up rapidly, helping the war effort. Finally, the south had wonderful generals; the Union had better troops, equipment and had control of the navy. The north had a trained army unlike the south, which had farmers and civilians fighting. Also, because the Union had a trained army, they had uniforms, guns and ammo already supplied.The question of how the South could have won has nagged historians and mythologist for decades. The one that I personally support is the nonsupport of European intervention and recognition of the Confederacy. This prevented a Democratic victory in the northern elections of 1862 that might have inhibited the governments ability to carry on the war, and set the stag e for the Emancipation Proclamation. (McPherson pg857-58)...
