Final answer:
The Confederacy's major advantage during the early Civil War was the presence of highly skilled military leaders, despite its disadvantages in industry and population compared to the Union.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the Confederacy's major advantages during the early years of the Civil War was having highly skilled military leaders. This advantage stemmed largely from the fact that many military leaders from the South had attended prestigious institutions like West Point and were adept in military strategy and leadership. The Confederate Army had leaders who were experienced and practiced in the art of warfare, with some having significant experience from their service in the United States Army before the secession.
Despite the Confederate States' disadvantages in terms of industry and population, capable military leadership was a distinct asset. These leaders understood the terrain they were defending, were familiar with defensive warfare tactics, and were supported by soldiers with skills in using firearms and riding horses. The South, therefore, did not need to win the war outright but simply needed to defend successfully against the North's advances.
Unlike the Confederacy, the Union had advantages like a larger population and greater industrial capability, necessary for sustained warfare and supplying a large army. Areas like New England and the Mid-Atlantic provided the North with plentiful food, while the South faced shortages due to blockades and a focus on cash crop agriculture. The Southern economy, heavily reliant on cotton exports, was strangled by the naval blockade, and the limited industrial and railroad infrastructure complicated efforts to support the war effort.