When it comes to the topic of the Civil War, one of the most common and controversial questions for discussion is whether the Confederacy had the opportunity to win. At first sight, it seems that the South had a variety of advantages. It was superior to the North in terms of finances, international ties, and military advances. However, these factors did not ensure the Confederacy’s victory. Therefore, currently, some researchers wonder what this side could have done in order to avoid defeat.
First of all, despite the fact that the side of the South had international connections, leaders did not obtain any financial or military support from Great Britain or France. In addition, at that time, these two countries had an immense amount of power and influence. Therefore, they could intervene by stopping trade with the Union, which would seriously damage their economic situation. In this way, the Confederacy would have a significant advantage.
Another factor that should be taken into account is leadership. Southern leaders were considered strong and competent. Robert E. Lee was one of the most talented commanders since he was successful in the East; however, he was not enough to win the war. Other leaders have failed to apply successful military strategies, which lead to a lack of victories in the field and the loss of morale. From this statement, one can conclude that Confederacy could have won if they hired different military generals and lieutenants. While Lee continued to win battles in the East, the capable leader in the West would not allow the Union to move forward, which would keep the Confederacy confident. Therefore, along with international support, the South could have stopped the string of battlefield failures and won.
