American Civil War: Exploring Causes of Confederacy Defeat - Essay Sample

Introduction

Over the past century, there have been various arguments concerning the reasons for America's confederacy downfall. Different opinions emerge from researchers and other interested parties prevalent from the vast-ranging books and other summarized materials accounting for significant events, their influence on the Union’s and the ensuing victory. The confederates’ probability of claiming the Civil War victory stands as one of the most popular arguments on American history. Ideologies supporting the confederacy in the costly and protracted war were insufficient, impairing their ability to counter the opponents in a defensive battle. This paper seeks to discuss the Union’s military superiority over the South as the most significant reason for confederacy's downfall and other impacts that boosted the conquest.

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North’s Military Superiority

Despite some of the victory achieved by the confederates at sea, in most cases, they were notably outgunned by the well-organized Union Navy. The union navy management was quick to implement maritime boundaries and port blockages, limiting the confederates' access to essential goods, especially naval equipment and exporting valuable cotton. During the war, the Confederates' exports and imports dropped by up to 80%, further weakening the already straining economy from battle-related expenses (Cook 22). Military superiority contributed to the prevalence of the Union, with other numerous turning points drawn from the war, to point where the South's actions and causes appeared as practically unsalvageable.

The Union's long-term military strength acted the foundation of its victory. Confederates embraced the idea that agricultural products, especially cotton, were vital for their global diplomatic recognition and wartime success. The ideas seemed applicable since they had a larger population to offer labour and majored in industrial strength. The Union had a much better plan for resource management. Therefore, had the South engaged in victorious battle filed, the Union extra resources to pull a rebellion. The confederates applied all the available resources and could still not manage to dictate a decisive victory due to a lack of long-term naval strategies. The points of the Civil War significantly lies in the aftermath of the Gettysburg battle fought from July 1st to 3rd in 1863 (Cook, 20). During the Gettysburg Campaign, the northern troops were advancing in areas they had previously conquered led by General E. Roberts overpowering the Union. The war could have ended since President Lincoln, and the advisors thought they were successful in stopping the rival forces.

However, the unexpected happened with the Gettysburg battle turning out to be the bloodiest event of the war. The military abilities of the confederates were further weakened as they shared a large portion of the deceased soldiers. Due to the vast wealth resources, the Union had maintained its military on the battlefield for a long time compared to the latter. The eventual outcome of encountering a well prepared military personnel of the Northern army led to devastating aftermath.

During the defeat and occupation of Atlanta in 1864, Sherman's March to the Sea subsequently resulted in severe psychological, strategic and economic aspects of life and inside their territories (Waite 35). The Confederate was devastated in all aspects of the human sphere of influence. The campaign that sparked throughout Atlanta saw Sherman, enact killings and blatant destruction of the property, leaving devastated and desolate, deeply traumatized in the great ordeal of scorched earth policy. Also, the Union troops killed their livestock, took their supplies and burnt their crops. General Lee’s army also engaged in another battle in April 1865 when he fought several battles during the Appomattox campaign. This led to a meeting between Grant and General Lee when he decided to surrender his troops. It later led to the capturing of the Confederate President on 10th May 1865 (Waite 40). Confederate President Jefferson Davis was arrested by the North Army cavalrymen, hence putting to an end of the Civil war. The Union was made whole again after two days after the capture of the Confederates President, which was the last land battle of the Civil war.

Less Significant Reason for the Defeat

People living in a country are of great importance since they pay taxes funds to ensure a functional regime and its soldiers; they also give more energy, strength, reach, and skills. The early battles during the civil war, the southern caused a lot more fatalities on the North by maintaining a relatively low number. Though the North managed to cope with the losses, they had back up extra people to replace the thousands who succumbed during the battle (Waite 34). Time was running for the south people. When the war began, Union outstripped the South, and no matter how enthusiastic southern were defending the confederacy, they were small in numbers to handle the damages caused.

Manufacturing Capacity

During preparations for a rival, there are some necessities that soldiers' needs among them are war weapons. At the time of the Civil War, Shelby Foote, a Southern historian, realized that the United States Industrial Revolution was in full swing. Much of the developing industrialized strength was decisively in the North. In the meantime, the south at battle's inception was still primarily an agrarian society that depends on imported materials from outside. However, the Southern budget was not poorly planned but was not put into consideration for fighting the war.

Politics

Troop's replacement was a combative concern in the federal administration. The confederacy stood as a devolved republic devoted to the state's sovereignty above the chief government in Richmond. Political power struggle confined the confederate war exertion sometimes, mostly in mobilization areas (HYLENAJ, Valmir, & Astrit 100). However, in the end, the confederate chief government contended with the raiding union army and its state power.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the skills used in war to outshine your rivals are just dull. While targeting your opponents is always a good idea to first trace the location as soonest possible and be there on time. The Northern was strong enough, giving no chance to the southern people. In general, the South was tactical failures since they relied more on strategic violence, losing a thousand of its troops. Additionally, the South misused the chance during the first half of the battle; hence they would have been more Upcoming. However, the American Civil War was not simple; both the South and North betroth each other for four good years. As a result, many people lost their lives, towns were demolished, and families are torn apart. And the South lost in the end.

Work Cited

Cook, Robert J. Civil War Memories: contesting the past in the United States since 1865. JHU Press, 2017. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_ylo=2016&q=Reasons+for+North%E2%80%99s+Civil+War+Victory&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5

HYLENAJ, Valmir, and Astrit HALITI. "WHY DID THE SOUTH LOSE THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR." Contemporary Macedonian Defense/Sovremena Makedonska Odbrana 35.2 (2018). http://morm.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01_Sovremena-Makedonska-Odbrana_br.35_za-web.pdf#page=101

Waite, Kevin. "The “Lost Cause” Goes West: Confederate Culture and Civil War Memory in California." California history 97.1 (2020): 33-49. https://online.ucpress.edu/ch/article/97/1/33/106843/The-Lost-Cause-Goes-WestConfederate-Culture-and