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The dominant military theories of the time said that the defensive position was usually superior because the defensive side could concentrate itself in "interior lines." This was the classic rule of the French strategist Jomini, whose teachings dominated West Point instruction before 1860.To picture what "interior lines" mean, imagine your army fighting inside a circle that is one-mile around. You will never have to travel more than about one-third of a mile to go from one side of the field to the other, while your opponent has to run a half-mile on the outside to get from one side to the other. Therefore a smaller force within interior lines has the advantage and is likely to defeat the aggressors.
Jomini aside, the South believed a defensive war was wise because of its vast territory. The invading Federals would be swallowed up and lost like Napoleon in Russia.
Finally, there were diplomatic and political considerations. Seeking recognition from France and Britain, the Confederacy believed it held the moral high ground if it refused to attack the Northern side. Unfortunately this meant it missed the opportunity to win the war, as it had several opportunities to capture Washington, Baltimore and maybe Philadelphia in its first year, but afterwards the Federal side was too well equipped and trained.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agothe south fought a defencive war because they had a defencive advantage having the hills as a boundary with the north.
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How did the south fight a defensive war?
With the exception of the air war over the north, the ground war occurred in southern territory. The north invaded the south, the south didn't invade the north.
What caused the confederate defeat at fort pulaski?
The Confederates simply underestimated the might of the Union forces. Since the South had to fight a defensive war, they were thwarted by the Union's defensive strategy. In the end, the rebels had to retreat and the fort was captured by Federal regiments.
What was the south's plan in the civil war?
To fight their hardest and never give up even though the North had better advantage.
Was the Confederacy fighting a defensive war during the US Civil War?
For the most part the Confederacy was fighting a defensive war. To gain the independence that it sought, the main idea was to repel Union invasions by superior defensive entrenchments. Offensive always needs a larger number to succeed then does defense. The South had limitations on manpower to fight the war. With few exceptions, they fought a defensive war. However, they used the tactics of counter attacks in an offensive manner.
The South was fighting a defensive war but hoped to receive help from?
During the Civil War, the south hoped to ally themselves with France and England.
Why did the south have the advantage?
Because they fought a defensive war so they did not have to go over to the Union to fight.
How did the south fight a defensive war?
With the exception of the air war over the north, the ground war occurred in southern territory. The north invaded the south, the south didn't invade the north.
How did the south's economy support their strategy to fight a defensive war?
They assumed they could exchange their cotton for war supplies from abroad.
Did the south or north plan the defensive war?
The North had to do the invading, so the South had to react with defensive tactics.
What were the strength of the south Civil War?
They were waging a defensive war.
The South had the advantage of fighting a war?
defensive
What was the south's war strategy to win the civil war?
to get European nations to join them(England inparticular)also to fight a defensive war.the top is a summation of what you need to know but this has a more indepth answer of what i think you are searching for...http://www.sonofthesouth.net/civil-war-pictures/strategy.htm
What was the war strategy of the south in the Civil War?
The south tried to fight a defensive strategy for most of the war (due to the fact that they were succeeding and Lincoln knew he had to use force to get the south back on to the union again). But general Lee thought if he could make it to D.C. he could make Lincoln sue for peace. Lee drove an army through the northern states until the faithful battle of Gettysburg which had tremendous southern casualties which caused Lee to retreat to the south. Lincoln knew lee was weak so he ordered the union army to send the army on a full frontal assault on the south. Which caused Lee to fight defensive strategy like he did in the begging of the war.
What did the south do after the Gettysburg?
The South took up a defensive posture for the rest of the war.
What caused the confederate defeat at fort pulaski?
The Confederates simply underestimated the might of the Union forces. Since the South had to fight a defensive war, they were thwarted by the Union's defensive strategy. In the end, the rebels had to retreat and the fort was captured by Federal regiments.
Who had the advantage at the outbreak of the war?
It's more of an opinion. The North had more factories to supply war goods, and had many more men to fight. The South, however, was fighting a defensive war (Knew the lay of the land), and they had better Military Leaders.
What was the south's plan in the civil war?
To fight their hardest and never give up even though the North had better advantage.
