Confederacy vs. Union

Attribute	Confederacy	Union
Formation	Formed in 1861	Formed in 1861
Capital	Richmond, VA	Washington, D.C.
President	Jefferson Davis	Abraham Lincoln
Flag	Stars and Bars	Stars and Stripes
States	11 states	23 states
Population	Approx. 9 million	Approx. 22 million
Goal	Secession and independence	Preservation of the Union

Political Structure

The Confederacy was formed by Southern states that seceded from the Union in 1860 and 1861. It operated under a decentralized government with each state retaining significant autonomy. The Confederate Constitution closely mirrored the United States Constitution but with key differences, such as explicitly protecting the institution of slavery. In contrast, the Union was a federal republic with a strong central government that held authority over the individual states. The Union's Constitution did not mention slavery but allowed for its existence in states where it was already legal.

Economic System

The Confederacy relied heavily on agriculture, particularly cotton, tobacco, and sugar production. Slavery played a crucial role in the Confederate economy, providing cheap labor for plantations. The lack of industrialization in the South made the Confederacy vulnerable to blockades and shortages during the Civil War. On the other hand, the Union had a more diversified economy with a strong industrial base. Northern states were more urbanized and developed, allowing the Union to mobilize resources and manpower more effectively during the war.

Social Structure

The Confederacy was built on a hierarchical social structure with white supremacy at its core. Slavery was deeply ingrained in Southern society, shaping relationships between whites and African Americans. The Confederacy's leaders defended slavery as a positive good and a fundamental right. In contrast, the Union was more diverse and inclusive, with a growing abolitionist movement advocating for the end of slavery. While racism still existed in the North, the Union's values of freedom and equality laid the groundwork for the eventual abolition of slavery.

Military Strategy

The Confederacy adopted a defensive military strategy, aiming to outlast the Union and secure foreign recognition. Confederate generals like Robert E. Lee focused on defending Southern territory and winning decisive battles to boost morale. The Confederacy also relied on guerrilla warfare and cavalry raids to disrupt Union supply lines. On the other hand, the Union pursued a more aggressive military strategy, seeking to defeat the Confederacy through overwhelming force and attrition. Union generals like Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman employed total war tactics to break the South's will to fight.

Foreign Relations

The Confederacy sought foreign recognition and support, particularly from European powers like Britain and France. Southern diplomats lobbied for recognition as an independent nation and tried to secure military aid and trade agreements. However, European powers remained neutral during the Civil War, unwilling to risk conflict with the Union. In contrast, the Union focused on maintaining diplomatic relations with European countries and preventing foreign intervention in the conflict. The Union's blockade of Southern ports limited Confederate trade and weakened the South's economy.

Outcome of the Civil War

The Civil War ended in 1865 with the defeat of the Confederacy and the preservation of the Union. The Confederacy's surrender at Appomattox Court House marked the end of the war and the beginning of Reconstruction. The Union's victory led to the abolition of slavery through the 13th Amendment and the reunification of the country. The Civil War transformed American society and politics, setting the stage for the Civil Rights Movement and the expansion of federal power.