Final answer:
The North held key advantages in population and industrialization, with a large manpower reserve and superior industrial and transportation infrastructure. The South, however, had the strategic advantage of fighting a defensive war on familiar ground, with skilled military leadership and a population experienced in firearms and horseback riding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Advantages of the North and South at the Beginning of the Civil War
At the outset of the Civil War, the North held significant advantages in terms of population and industrial capability. With a population of about 22 million compared to the South's 9 million, the Union had a larger pool of manpower. The North's industries were also more developed, producing nine times the amount of industrial goods compared to the South, and an extensive railroad system ensured efficient movement of troops and supplies. The Industrial Revolution had heavily transformed the North, providing a robust infrastructure for war efforts.
On the other hand, the South had its own set of advantages. As a defending force, the Confederacy needed less manpower and benefited from the familiarity with local terrain. They could draw on the expertise of skilled military leaders and a population accustomed to the use of firearms and horseback riding. The vast territory of over 750,000 square miles meant that they could wage a defensive war, hoping to outlast the North's resources and resolve.