Advantages and disadvantages of the confederacy?

Answer 1

Advantages:

Emotive mission - defending the homeland against the invader.

Soldierlike breed - aggressive characters, raring for a good fight.

Cavalry tradition - natural riders and shooters, with their own horses.

Best Generals - many great leaders quit the US Army to join the Confederates.

Foreign support - good prospect of recognition and military aid from abroad.

Disadvantages:

Smaller population - easily exploited by Grant when he ended prisoner-exchange.

Weak in artillery - shortage of new (rifled-barrelled) guns and trained gunners.

No manufacturing base - they had to improvise arms factories.

Blockaded ports - little opportunity to import war supplies.

Bad president - Davis could not control his Generals or his cabinet.