Question

Compare the economies of the Union states and Confederate states and identify the advantages of both sides.

Option A: The Union had an agrarian economy, while the Confederacy was industrialized. The advantage of the Union was a strong manufacturing base, and the Confederacy had a robust agricultural sector.
Option B: Both the Union and the Confederacy had primarily agrarian economies, but the Union had a larger workforce. The advantage of the Union was its population, while the Confederacy had stronger international trade.
Option C: The Union had a diverse, industrialized economy, while the Confederacy relied heavily on agriculture. The advantage of the Union was its economic diversity, and the Confederacy had a skilled workforce.
Option D: The Union had a primarily industrialized economy, while the Confederacy was focused on small-scale agriculture. The advantage of the Union was advanced technology and infrastructure, and the Confederacy had agricultural self-sufficiency.

Answer 1

The correct answer is Option C: The Union had a diverse, industrialized economy, while the Confederacy relied heavily on agriculture. The advantage of the Union was its economic diversity, and the Confederacy had a skilled workforce.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing the economies of the Union states and the Confederate states during the Civil War, the Union had a diverse, industrialized economy, while the Confederacy relied heavily on agriculture, primarily cotton exports. The Union's advantages included a larger population, bolstered by European immigration, greater industrial capabilities, an extensive railroad grid, and the ability to produce more war materials and move goods quickly. In contrast, the Confederacy fought a defensive war, with skilled military leaders from West Point and a population experienced with firearms and horsemanship.

However, the South faced major disadvantages such as a smaller population, a lack of substantial industry, a challenging naval blockade which stifled international trade, rampant inflation, food shortages, and a less efficient railroad system.