Question

Because the South had a smaller population than the North, the Confederacy:

A. was often unable to field large armies.

B. never faced severe labor shortages.

C. lost many of the first battles of the Civil War.

D. was able to support a larger army.

Answer 1

The South, with a smaller population and less industrial capacity, often struggled to field large armies during the Civil War, leading to significant labor shortages and a reliance on defensive warfare.

Step-by-step explanation:

The South, despite having a smaller population than the North, faced significant challenges during the Civil War. The Confederacy, with fewer than nine million people, of whom nearly four million were enslaved Black people, could not match the Union's population of around 22 million. This population disparity led to the Confederacy often being unable to field large armies, which in turn made it more difficult for them to sustain a prolonged conflict. Additionally, while defensive warfare and skilled military leadership were among the South's strengths, they lacked the industrial capacity and extensive railroad networks that the North possessed. This infrastructure and industry enabled the Union to mobilize men and supplies more effectively, giving them a 'quantity' advantage in the war. Labor shortages also became a major burden for the Confederate States as the war dragged on.