Why_the_South_Lost_the_American_Civil_War

Why the South Lost the American Civil War Why the South Lost the American Civil War A frequently, and sometimes hotly, discussed subject; the outcome of the American Civil War has fascinated historians for generations. Some argue that the North’s economic advantages proved too much for the South, others that Southern strategy was faulty, offensive when it should have been defensive, and vice-versa. Internal division in the South is often referred to, and complaints made against Davis’ somewhat makeshift, inexperienced, government. Doubts are sometimes raised over the commitment of Southerners to a cause many of them were half-hearted about. Many historians have argued that the South lost the will to fight long before defeat was an inevitability. However, many of these criticisms could easily be applied to the North, had the outcome been different, and a simple superiority in resources is an insufficient explanation, when one considers the many examples in history, not least the American War of Independence, when a weaker defender has kept a far stronger attacker at bay. James Mc Pherson offers an alternative view in his contingency theory, where he outlines four turning points in the war which led ultimately to Southern defeat. However, while a recital of the war’s events and key points may war, southern, union, south, however, one, defeat, confederacy, been, out, north, lost, government, resources, military, lincoln, historians, far, davis, confederate, civil, while, troops, somewhat, north’s, although, supply, start, southerners, several, population, must, morale, manpower, main, loss