Union initiatives Flashcards
(5 cards)
topic sentence
Lastly, some historians such as Brian Holden Reid argue that it was Union initiatives creating obstacles for the Confederate economy which was the most important reason for the South experiencing economic hardship during the war.
evidence 1 - union blockade
The Union blockade, a Union attempt to prevent the Confederacy from exporting cotton or accessing supplies for the war proved to be a significant obstacle to Southern exports. The South led world cotton exports as they produced 2/3rds of the worlds cotton, and had export links with foreign powers such as Britain, this meant that the blockade was detrimental to them as it prevented them from accessing vital money to fund the war. Due to the South having a limited industrial capacity, for example the North produced 97%/8 of US firearms, the Confederacy had to resort to foreign imports, however this was extremely difficult due to the blockade.
counter analysis - blockade running
Despite this, it could be argued that blockade running was extremely successful as Blockade runners stoop a 75% chance of success and the South imported 60% of their small arms, meaning that the Confederacy were able to find cracks in the Union blockade so that they could access war supplies
evidence 2 - northern naval strength
As well as the blockade, the North could use its naval strength to attack the Confederate coat and threaten its main ports, making it almost impossible for the South to export, or import goods needed for them to maintain a strong fight against the Union
evaluation
To evaluate, the Union created many difficulties that caused Southern wartime economy to fail. The Union blockade made it almost impossible for the South to export cotton, the good that they gained most of their income from, meaning that they had little funds to pit towards winning the war. Additionally, the South’s hope of gaining foreign recognition to break the blockade was a failure as nations like Britain wanted to remain neutral during the war. Historian Brian Holden Reid argues that the South’s belief in the power of King Cotton deluded them into believing foreign recognition would come, however Britain reminded persistent in staying neutral, and France would only follow Britains lead.
