Name ________________________________

Directions: As a group, move around to each of the six stations. At each station, determine

whether the items listed belong to either the North or the South and circle the appropriate

one. Then discuss whether they are either an advantage or disadvantage, circle, and explain

why. After you are complete, explain which side had the overall advantage and why in an

essay on the back.

1 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

2 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

3 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

4 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

5 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

6 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

7 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

8 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

9 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

10 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

11 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

12 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

13 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

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After completing the table of advantages and disadvantages for each side, write a

short response explaining which side you feel had the overall advantage and why.

1. Divided public opinion at home

This side had a very divided public opinion at home. Not everyone

supported the war. In fact many people were content to let the United

States be divided into two countries.

2. Soldiers were defending own homes and families

The soldiers for this side were fighting on familiar turf. Most of the

war would be fought here, so soldiers were defending their own homes

and families when they fought.

3. Small population

This side had a much smaller population than the other. In fact it was

less than half the total size: 22 million to just 9 million people.

4. Very Skilled, Effective Commanders

The generals from this side were some of the most brilliant military

minds America has ever produced. They knew how to inspire their men

and make do with what resources they had.

5. 13,000 miles of railroad tracks

This side in the Civil War had thousands more miles of railroad track

than the other. Over 13,000 miles of rail crisscrossed this side which

could bring resources quickly where they were needed.

6. Manufactured 9 times more goods

This side held a massive advantage when it came ot industrial output.

The factories in this region manufactured 9 times as much goods as the

other. These factory-made goods included weapons of war as well as

non-military goods for the civilian population.

7. Weak commanders at first

When the war began, this side was led by military commanders who

were afraid to use many soldiers and often hesitant in battle. They

thought the other side did not stand a chance and would easily

surrender. As a result, they hesitated to use many troops because they

did not want to risk their men’s lives.

8. Controlled Most of the Wealth

This side of the Civil War controlled most all of the nation’s wealth.

Most of America’s banking and manufacturing industries were located

in this region. As a result, this side had much more money at its

disposal.

9. No Army or Navy

When the war began, this side had no organized army or navy.

Although a fighting force was quickly assembled, they would need to

catch up to the other side’s larger, more prepared fighting forces.

10. Few Supplies for War

When the Civil War began, this side had very few of the military

supplies needed to fight a war. Most of America’s armories were

located in the other region of the country. As a result, this side lacked

guns, cannons, and even military uniforms.

11. Agricultural Economy

This region of the United States before the war had an economy based

mostly on agriculture. Huge plantations produced thousands of bushels

of cotton, tobacco, and other goods for export around the world. Many

other countries actually depended on these exports for their own

economies.

12. Fighting in Unfamiliar Territory

This side needed to invade the other region, as a result its soldiers were

fighting in unfamiliar territory. Most had never ventured into these

parts of America and would need to learn the landscape as they pushed

deeper into unfamiliar land.

13. No National Government

When the Civil War began, this side had no formal national

government. While each state had its government intact, there was no

Executive or Legislative Branch to hold them all together and make

decisions for all of the states together.

Name ___Answer Key/Teacher’s Guide_______

Directions: As a group, move around to each of the six stations. At each station, determine

whether the items listed belong to either the North or the South and circle the appropriate

one. Then discuss whether they are either an advantage or disadvantage, circle, and explain

why. After you are complete, explain which side had the overall advantage and why in an

essay on the back.

1 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage

Many Americans were against the war and did not want to send family off to fight other

Americans and die.

2 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage The South was fighting most of the war on its

home turf, which aided in spying and battles.

3 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage The smaller population of the South meant

much fewer soldiers

4 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage The skilled commanders of the Confederacy

helped them to avoid early major defeats.

5 Union Confederacy

Advantage Disadvantage The Union’s railroads could bring supplies from across the country quickly.

6 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage The advantage in manufacturing meant more weapons for war and goods that could be sold.

7 Union Confederacy

Advantage Disadvantage The Union lost many early battles because its generals would not advance on the South.

8 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage The Union had more money to pay soldiers and

pay for the high costs of a war.

9 Union Confederacy

Advantage Disadvantage They would need to quickly raise an army but

were powerless to stop the US Navy’s blockade

10 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage No weapons needed to fight the Union.

11 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage *Could be a disadvantage as well, open to student opinion

12 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage The soldiers did not know where they were or

where they could hide, retreat or advance to.

13 Union Confederacy Advantage Disadvantage There was no group to make laws and

important decisions for the Confederacy.

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