Reasons for Secession

1. Reasons for Secession • Political scales against them • Triumph of Republican party • Barrage of Free-soil criticisms • North interfering with lifestyle • Immense debt to Northern creditors • Dependence on Northern banking, shipping and trade • North would not oppose departure

2. South States’ Rights Slavery and right to preserve it. Social & economic lifestyle based on cotton Could not survive in same nation with manu/trading North North Union should be stronger than any 1 state/group of states A government est. by the Constitution A perpetual union What were the sections fighting for?

3. Southern Advantages1. On own soil 2. Talented officers 3. Raised w/ horses/guns 4. “King Cotton” Northern Advantages1. Economy 2. Population 3. ¾’s of nation’s wealth 4. ¾’s of nation’s RR 5. Army/navy existed Weaknesses 1. Scarcity of factories 2. Shortage of food/supplies 3. Poor RR system 4. Stagnant economic sys Weaknesses 1. Inexp soldiers & military leaders 2. Had to invade South/drag it back

4. Southern Strategies • Hold on until North grew tired of war and agreed to a separate country • Surprise attacks on North whenever possible • Counted on foreign aid - especiallyGB

5. Northern Strategies • Gain control of Mississippi River and cut South in half • Blockade Southern ports • Capture Richmond, Confederate capital

6. New Union Goals • Suffocate South by blockading coast • Liberate the slaves • Cut Confederacy in ½ by gaining control of the Mississippi • Chop Confederacy into pieces • Decapitate Confederacy by capturing Richmond • Grind enemy into submission