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 Advantage Disadvantage 2 Advantage Disadvantage 3 Advantage Disadvantage 4 Advantage Disadvantage 5 Advantage Disadvantage 6 Advantage Disadvantage 7 Advantage Disadvantage 8 Advantage Disadvantage 9 Advantage Disadvantage 10 Advantage Disadvantage 11 Advantage Disadvantage 12 Advantage Disadvantage 13 Advantage Disadvantage Students of History - http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/students-of-history
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 2 3 4 Advantage Disadvantage Many Americans were against the war and did not want to send family off to fight other Americans and die. Advantage Disadvantage The South was fighting most of the war on its home turf, which aided in spying and battles. Advantage Disadvantage The smaller population of the South meant much fewer soldiers Advantage Disadvantage The skilled commanders of the helped them to avoid early major defeats. 5 Advantage Disadvantage The s railroads could bring supplies from across the country quickly. 6 Advantage Disadvantage The advantage in manufacturing meant more weapons for war and goods that could be sold. 7 Advantage Disadvantage The lost many early battles because its generals would not advance on the South. 8 Advantage Disadvantage The had more money to pay soldiers and pay for the high costs of a war. 9 Advantage Disadvantage They would need to quickly raise an army but were powerless to stop the US Navy s blockade 10 Advantage Disadvantage No weapons needed to fight the. 11 Advantage Disadvantage *Could be a disadvantage as well, open to student opinion 12 Advantage Disadvantage The soldiers did not know where they were or where they could hide, retreat or advance to. 13 Advantage Disadvantage There was no group to make laws and important decisions for the. Students of History - http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/students-of-history