After reading the speeches from Alexander H. Stephens and Abraham Lincoln that are linked in the Study Materials section, write a paper of 750 to 1100 words (3 to 4 typed, double-spaced pages) in which you examine the strengths and weaknesses (both civilian and military) of the North and South as they face each other in 1861. What did the South have to do to accomplish its goal? Why wasn’t the South able to accomplish it? How did the political leadership of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis contribute to success or failure? In what ways do these primary sources speak to the different ideologies of the North and South? Use specific examples to illustrate your points, but do not merely copy answers from the textbook. Creative thinking and your own wording are important aspects of an effective answer. Be sure to use proper citations for every idea that is not your own, whether quoted or paraphrased.
