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Why Did The North Win The Civil War Essay

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The Civil War was a war between the divided United States. Although it may have been to “preserve the Union”, the underlying problem of the war - a problem that had been simmering for years - was slavery. Lincoln had been cautious at the beginning of the war to not upset the border states, but near the end he added the emancipation of slaves to the Union’s war goals. Part of the reason that the North won the Civil War was due to the number of resources that they produced, the release of the Emancipation Proclamation, and military leadership. An important advantage that the North had over the South was the plentiful amount of resources at their fingertips. Due to their industrial-based economy, they had both factories and workers. According …show more content…

Due to lack of successful generals in the Union at the beginning of the war, the North had faced some embarrassing early losses. However, William Sherman, a Union general, had completely changed the definition of war with his “total war” campaign. Sherman, accompanied by his army, had left a path of total destruction, intended to terrify the Southern people, by burning their houses, and to mentally scar them as well. The campaign had brought a new experience to the Southern civilians, and that feeling was being psychologically traumatized. According to Document 7, “In the wake of his progress to the sea he left numerous ‘Sherman sentinels’ (the chimneys of burnt out houses) and ‘Sherman neckties’ (railroad rails that had been heated and wrapped around trees)”. Although many war veterans have unfortunately suffered from PTSD before, Sherman's March to the Sea had left many civilians suffering from the same. The “Sherman neckties” were intended to make the Southern people feel as though the Union army possessed almost godlike strength, and Sherman’s intentions of scaring them had worked. William Tecumseh Sherman had shifted the war from being army versus army to army versus society. This idea, although it may not have been completely original, had changed war to become what is recognized as modern war today. Consequently, civilians were more affected than ever simply because of the region they lived in. One major battle in the Civil War that has been coined the “turning point” in the war, was extremely crucial and had left the South with extremely limited options to try and still win. According to Document 6, “Despite initial Confederate successes, the battle turned against Lee on July 3rd, and with few options remaining, he ordered his army to return to Virginia”. Roughly two years after the battle of Gettysburg, the South had reluctantly

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Before the war, the Union army consecutively lost battles. After Grant and Sherman were appointed, the Union bounced back. Winning the battles of Vicksburg and Gettysburg caused a huge turn in the war, in favor of the North. From then on, Grant and Sherman began winning battles in Tennessee Mississippi. They work together as Grant creates strategy and Sherman is the upfront commander.

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The American Civil War is a defining moment in the United States’ history, marked by a series of pivotal battles that helped shape the outcome of the conflict. Among these battles, the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Vicksburg are frequently singled out for their important roles in determining the war's course. As the significance of these two battles continues to be analyzed and debated, it becomes evident that they each contributed in distinctive ways to the Union’s ultimate victory. By delving into the complexities of both battles and evaluating their extensive impact on the Union’s strategic objectives, a direct understanding emerges regarding which battle holds more significance for the Union war effort. In terms of strategic importance,

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The clash between the North and South over slavery, states’ rights, and several other conflict led a civil war in the United States. The Confederate South, which is known for its profound military history, turned out to be no opposition for quickly developing North in the Civil War. The North that was industrialized, strongly equipped realized that a lot of their triumphs were somewhat easily obtainable. Strong leadership, number of troops, and economy are only few of the factors that led to the Union's victory over the Confederate succeeded states. Number of troops, army supply and finance of the war played a role in which side was to win the war.

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For instance, it ended the Civil War in a more timely manner, and helped the United States to evolve as a country. Following the loss at the battle in Atlanta, and receiving clearance from General Ulysses S. Grant, Sherman and his troops headed west into Chattanooga, Tennessee, where they suspended supply and communication lines for the Union troops, and created “Sherman’s Neckties”, or paths to derail trains. Sherman split up his troops and brought approximately 62,000 men on a 285 mile march from Atlanta, Georgia to Savannah, Georgia, in an effort to “frighten Georgia’s civilian population into abandoning the Confederate cause” (Sherman’s March”). The march succeeded in not only frightening the civilian population, but also in lowering the southern morale. To explain, seeing their towns destroyed wrecked havoc on the confidence the southern population to win the war.

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