The Civil War EconomyThe Importance of International Trade in the Civil War

Start with some background readingRead the National Park Service’s background essay about the differences in the Union and Confederate economies.

You can find the essay at http://www.nps.gov/resources/story.htm?id=251

What did Confederate leaders plan to rely on to finance the war effort?

Examine the graph belowWhat were the economies of the North and South like just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War?

What should have been a warning to Confederate leaders?

Study the export graphWhy might Confederate leaders have been misled about the importance of cotton?

What other economic factors did they apparently neglect to consider?

ExplainFrom what you learned from the graphs, why do you think the South would have needed to engage in international trade in order to will the Civil War?

Write at least a one-paragraph response with a thesis AND include evidence from either graph, explaining why the evidence proves your argument.