Final answer:
The North and the South differed prior to the Civil War in terms of urbanization, industrialization, and the prevalence of free and slave states.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to the Civil War, the North and the South differed in several ways. Firstly, the North was more urban, while the South was more rural. The North had greater industrial capabilities, including factories and railroads, which allowed them to mobilize men and supplies more efficiently. On the other hand, the South focused on large agricultural plantations, supported by slave labor, and its economy revolved around growing cotton and tobacco for export.
In addition, northern states were mostly free states, where slavery was prohibited, while southern states were primarily slave states. The divide between free and slave states contributed to the tensions between the North and the South over the issue of slavery.