Instead of fabricating weapons from machines, they used old fashion techniques to produce weaponry; this process was longer because it involved manual labor. Additionally, the Southerners had no railroad system, so it was challenging to maintain efficient trade. As a result of the Union blocking off the Confederates ports, trade became scarce because there were limited options of how to ship commodities as well. The fact that they had a small population further affected the Confederacy. In total there were only 9 million confederates due to one- third of the population being slave (Civil War Trust). In fact, as compared to the North “ The North possessed more than twice the population of the Confederacy, going the North an enormous advantage in soldiers, farmers, and industrial worker” (Visions of America 1). Obviously the Confederacy faced varying disadvantages during the …show more content…
The Emancipation Proclamation was enacted to have “ both moral and strategic implications for the ongoing Civil War.” (History Channel). As the war raged on, it was presented to Lincoln, that it was necessary to head towards emancipation. It was also presented that it would additionally “weaken the Confederacy, and correspondingly strengthen the Union by siphoning off part of the Southern labor force and adding manpower to the Northern side” (The Emancipation Proclamation History Channel). When Lincoln decided to take action he told his administration that they must free slaves who reside in the South, or otherwise the Union will crumble. (The Emancipation Proclamation History Channel). Lincoln took this point and reasoned that the benefits outweighed the risk of emancipation because it encouraged slaves to flee. (Visions of America Volume 1). Once the administration agreed, they passed it on January 1,1863. Once passed, the aims of the proclamation were to diminish the Confederacy's attempt to be recognized by England, thus forbidding aid by this foreign country (The Emancipation Proclamation Archives). Lincoln a knew it would make difficult for Britain to intervene, since they had an anti-slavery sentiment in place (Visions of America Volume 1), This efficient method