What if the south won the war?

[1911crazy]

If the south won the war what would be different today?

[Jim N Mo.]

The Confederacy would not of survived I am afraid so it is hard to say what would of happened . The notion that we would now be two separate Nations would not be an option in my opinion . Jefferson Davis said it best when he stated the tombstone of the Confederacy should say died of a theory .

[nomosendero]

Despite the fact that the South did so well in the early part of the War, I
just don't think it was meant to be. I believe that Devine Providence was
probably the main reason, I say that because when you look at World History after the War, the USA had a role that would not have been possible with a split up Nation. Look at the 2 World Wars, if it were not for the USA, German could be our language, 1 item of many.

We know the textbook reasons, lack of industry, States Rights carried to the extreme to the point of the South not being interlinked, etc., but no, it
just wasn't supposed to happen I believe, though you could never prove that reason.

What would the South be like, well Slavery was on its way out anyway & I
believe that the World would not be as advanced as it is today because of the technology that has come out of this strong, somwhat united Country.

[Lone Star]

Had the South won independence, we would not have been saddled with the horrific Reconstruction.  The far-ranging effects of those years held the South down for almost a century until the 1960s with the resurgence of Atlanta and Houston, among other Southern cities.  

Global marketing changes would have forced the South to abandon slavery and the inefficient plantation system by the end of the ninteenth century.  Without the foot of the North on its throat, the South would have been free to evolve into an even stronger economic engine than it is today.  The conquest of the West in the latter half of the century would not have progressed as quickly without all the displaced Southerners who left to find a new home.

Both sides might have benefited from a Southern victory in the short run, but the strength of the current US is due to its diverse economy and people.  It would arguably not be the world leader it is today - which means that the results of WWI and WWI may have been different too.  Without doubt the world would be far different than it is today.

Note:  There have been several books written about this topic, interesting reads.

[ironfoot]

"Global marketing changes would have forced the South to abandon slavery and the inefficient plantation system by the end of the ninteenth century."

You mean like the way North Korea has abandoned it's inefficient system? What forced the South to abandon it's inefficient slave-based system was the Civil War.

[JBMauser]

"Global marketing changes would have forced the South to abandon slavery and the inefficient plantation system by the end of the ninteenth century."

This is correct.  Slavery was near to unravelling near the end of the war as it was.  If Atlanta stood and Lincoln lost the election the North may well have tossed in the towel as sentiment was high to end it.  Europe was the main source of manufactured goods and income to the South.  The South would have to further develop it's relations with France and England.  They would need investment in capital and technology to rebuild and be autonomous from the North.  It would be the first catch 22.  Slavery would be a tremendous stumbling block with England and yet it would be needed to get the main cash crop in gear to get hard currency back into the economy.   I personally think the the South would be under siege from the powers in Europe if they won.  They would have been weak, and Europe would have smelled blood in the water and they would know that the North would stand by as they were beaten once.  Europe was still in Colonial Expansion Mode.  

Slavery would have collapsed under it's own weight by the end of the century.  The plantation economy would be dimished as the need for manufacturing would become dominant.  The industrial revolution would take men from the fields and put them in factories in the South as it would in the North.   The need for an educated work force was on it's way as well as steam tractors, the cotton gin and other gins - engines that would moderize farming.  

If the War folded early when the South was making McClellen look like a fool.  Slavery may have still lived on for some time as the South could have defaulted back to it's pre War Cotton export economy but the industrial revolution and need to grow a manufacturing base would still have spelled an end to Slavery.  IMHO  JB

[nabob]

I look at all the people leaving the Northern rust belt for places like Georgia and Alabama and North Carolina and Texas and have to wonder if the South didn't win after all...

[Buckskin]

I look at all the people leaving the Northern rust belt for places like Georgia and Alabama and North Carolina and Texas and have to wonder if the South didn't win after all...

Keep telling yourself that.  I just spent a week in Atlanta on a business trip.  Couldn't wait to get back to civilization.  I've never been approached by so many panhandler's and con-men in my life.

Thank God we won, I wouldn't want to imagine what this country would be like otherwise.

[nabob]

It was meant to be a joke.

Sheesh!!

[victorcharlie]

I look at all the people leaving the Northern rust belt for places like Georgia and Alabama and North Carolina and Texas and have to wonder if the South didn't win after all...

Keep telling yourself that.  I just spent a week in Atlanta on a business trip.  Couldn't wait to get back to civilization.  I've never been approached by so many panhandler's and con-men in my life.

Thank God we won, I wouldn't want to imagine what this country would be like otherwise.

Ever been to Chicago?  Or Boston?

Seems all big cities draw pan handlers and slicky boys......

As for me.......that's all I do is try to imagine other wise.....

[Bush Master]

Sorry, Buckskin, but you left the door wide open. Since when is Wisconsin recognized anywhere as civilization? To most people, Wisconsin is more backwards than Atlanta ever thought about being. Don't get me wrong, I love Wisconsin and spend as much time there as I can, but this a case of pot-kettle-black.

[Buckskin]

Yeah your right, we just a bunch of hillbillies compared to you intellectual FIB's.  But you FIB's keep comin' up, Spendin' yo' money.  I guess if you live in Chigago, you wouldn't know what good livin' is anyway.  Illinois is like Nebraska, just a drive through state.  Long, flat and painful.