Why did the north have a political leadership advantage over the south during the civil war?

Answer 1

The North's political situation at the start of the US Civil War and throughout the conflict can be described as different than the South's however, the term of advantage does not apply. The South knew that it wanted its independence. Many in the North were constantly at odds with the Lincoln administration. Here are a list of political problems the North faced:* Lincoln was constantly under assault from the Radical wing of the Republican Party;

* It was the Radicals that were behind the Congressional Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War;

* George B. McClellan was outspoken against the policies of Lincoln & his cabinet;

* Lincoln's cabinet was not 100% in support for the emancipation Proclamation;

* The talk of a military coup was present up until the time of General Joseph Hooker who discussed a military dictatorship with Lincoln;

* The Union's premier army, the Army of the Potomac changed commanders almost too many times. It was anybody's guess when the next change would come;

* Lincoln's favorite general was known to be close to being an alcoholic;

* The largest civilian insurrection in US history occurred in New York City, the "draft riots";

* Lincoln faced an ever growing "peace movement';

* The slave holding border states were an embarrassment to the Union's and slavery;

* Lincoln was not sure if he would be the Republican nominee in 1864;

* The threat of a British peace initiative was omni-present; and

* The governor of Indiana was against the 1863 emancipation.

The political problems list is a long one. The ones mentioned, however, are a sampling of the important ones.

The South's political problems paled against those of the North.

Answer 2

The North had a political leadership advantage during the Civil War because they had a more established government with a centralized authority in Washington D.C., whereas the South struggled with states' rights and a weaker central government. Additionally, President Abraham Lincoln's leadership and ability to rally support for the Union cause played a significant role in the North's advantage.