Civil War 1863-1865, Essay Example

Reasons for a Northern Victory in the Civil War

The north won the Civil War. Some blame the South’s defeat on its President, Jefferson Davis and the mistakes of gifted Confederate commanders. Others blame the lost cause of the South on its loss of key military leaders such as Stonewall Jackson and Albert Johnson. Some say it was the will of God. The North had superior forces at it s disposal. For example, the North equipped more than two soldiers for every one from the South. Even so, some historians believe the South could have won, and almost did (Castel, 2000). Factors that sided with the North included its morale, its supply lines, and its luck.

Grant’s siege and capture of Vicksburg and Memphis started a military momentum that swept eastward, all the way through Georgia, guided by General Sherman (USA), and to the sea. Grants mastery lay in the fact that he did not chose to win battles, he chose to destroy his enemies. This philosophy gave him a tactical edge. General Thomas, Rosecrans, and Sheridan (all USA) contributed mightily in addition to the Union leaders previously mentioned.

Material strength gave the North a boost at every level. Union troops were better fed, clothed, and treated. Even at sea, the Union prevailed with gunboats that tormented Confederate troops (Editors, 2008). People glorify this war as if it were full of Romantic ideals. The fact is that with all of the talk about States Rights, the war waged over the institution of slavery. The Union won, at a political level, not because of Lincoln’s militaristic interferences and political appointments over military ability, but because of his sincere belief that victory was the only way to preserve the country and to re-connect the states into a cohesive nation once more.

The North’s ability to wear down the South through stalemates, e.g. Petersburg, proved fatal to the South’s ability to withstand long periods of entrenchment without reinforcement. The South never gained the full support of its European allies that had made promises of help.

Reference

Castel, A. (2000). Why the north won and the south lost. Civil War Times Illustrated, 39(2).

Editors. (2008). Three reasons the Union won. Civil War Times, 47(6), 32.