Why was the Union successful in the West during the US Civil War?

Answer 1

Much bigger population.

Much bigger manufacturing base. - 92% North, 8% south

Many more miles of railroad track

Lincoln's ability to keep the French and the British from helping the Confederates.

Answer 2

The generals in this theater outclassed those of the Confederates. Successful and well known generals such as Ulysses S. Grant, George Henry Thomas, William Tecumseh Sherman, and Phillip Sheridan were involved here.

Answer 3

The overpowering economic and military strength enabled the Union to end the Confederate rebellion. Added to this was the resolve of the North to continue the war, while the Southern strategy was for the North to simply tire of consequences of a prolonged conflict with the South. These were three reason why the Confederacy failed.The idea, however, that the US president prevented England and France from aiding the South is not true. Positively, the British saw the South as a defacto nation. The Confederacy had a central government, a constitution and a powerful army. The British continued to supply ship building and weapons to the South. France loaned the South money.

Formal recognition of the Confederacy would not have given the South any substantial benefits than it already had.

Answer 4

For the most part, the Union successes were based on their river gunboat advantage and the fact that they almost always had a troop number superiority.