Full Answer Section

3. Funding the War Effort: Financing the massive war effort was a major challenge. Lincoln imposed taxes, printed money, and borrowed heavily to keep the Union army operational.
4. International Diplomacy: Lincoln navigated international relations cautiously, preventing foreign intervention from recognizing the Confederacy. This involved balancing the need to project military strength with maintaining a free trade policy, vital for the Union economy.
5. Emancipation Proclamation and Slavery: Deciding when and how to address slavery was a complex issue. Lincoln initially focused on preserving the Union, but later issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a pivotal step towards abolishing slavery. This decision, however, further hardened the South’s resolve and created friction within his own party.
6. Public Morale and Dissent: Maintaining public support for the war, especially after early Union defeats, was crucial. Lincoln had to manage public opinion, address anti-war sentiment, and deal with draft riots that erupted in some Northern cities.

Military Disadvantages of the Union Army:

• Early Lack of Skilled Leadership:The Union Army initially struggled with incompetent leadership, leading to strategic blunders and costly defeats in the early stages of the war.
• Smaller Population and Industrial Base:The Confederacy initially had a larger white population and a more established military infrastructure in the South. This gave them an initial advantage in mobilizing troops and producing war materials.
• Interior Lines:Fighting on their own soil gave the Confederates the advantage of shorter supply lines and the ability to move troops more easily between different fronts.
• Motivation and Morale:Southerners often felt they were fighting for their way of life and to defend their homes, potentially boosting their morale compared to some Union soldiers.

Military Advantages of the Union Army:

• Greater Resources:The North had a larger overall population, a more robust industrial base, and greater access to financial resources. This allowed them to eventually outproduce the Confederacy in terms of weapons, ammunition, and supplies.
• Naval Superiority:The Union Navy effectively blockaded Southern ports, disrupting their trade and hindering their ability to import vital supplies. This crippled the Southern economy and limited their ability to import weapons and other necessities.
• Manpower Pool:As the war progressed, the North’s larger population allowed them to mobilize more troops, eventually overwhelming the Confederacy’s limited manpower.

It’s important to consider that these disadvantages and advantages did not remain static throughout the war. The Union’s superior resources and manpower ultimately proved decisive, but the South’s initial advantages and early victories also played a significant role in shaping the course of the conflict.