Confederate/Union Strengths and Weaknesses and First Battles (Ft. Sumter and Bull Run)

As the Civil War was beginning, historians began to look at what the north and south had going for them before the war. The Union had many more people, could manufacture their own goods, and controlled the Navy. The Confederacy had a very large, well trained army, Produced their own food, and only had to defend their own territory. There were also a few weaknesses for each side; the Union had a smaller army, they did not produce much food, and their biggest challenge was that they had to invade, conquer, and occupy the south. The Confederacy did not have as many people, they could not manufacture goods, and they began to have transport problems as the Navy blockaded the ports. 
Ft. Sumter was the first battle of the American Civil War. It all started when Union soldiers occupying the fort(Which was in Charleston, SC, a confederate state) would not leave. The army in South Carolina launched an attack on the northern soldiers, overtaking them and taking the fort back. The second major battle in the Civil War was Bull Run, or Manassas. The Union troops marched towards Richmond, the new Confederate capital, with high hopes and even higher spirits. They believed that since they had more men, it would be simple to overtake the south and win the war. People even came to have a relaxing picnic and watch the battle! As the battle began, it seemed as if the north would win, yet there was a surprise for them. Confederate general Stonewall Jackson brought reinforcement at the last minute that effectively sent the Union army scrambling back to Washington, D.C. in a panic.