\tWhile no side of a war wants to concede defeat, the Confederacy seemed particularly resistant to a Union victory, especially towards the end of the war. Though we have been taught of the importance of slavery to Southern livelihood, Davis in Chapter 15 of Inhuman Bondage<\/em> further explores Southern dependence on slavery. He emphasizes that \u201cfew wars in human history have led to such a radical outcome as the liberation of some four million slaves\u201d (Davis 298). He quantifies that the modern comparison of the South losing slavery would be the United States\u2019 GNP falling by \u201can estimated $9.75 trillion\u201d (298). Even the North expressed concern that Southern defeat \u201cwould spark European intervention in order to protect the crucial supply of cotton\u201d (314). As noted in \u201cGreat Britain\u2019s Impact on the Politics of Slavery in the United States,\u201d the South observed the effect of slave emancipation in Jamaica, which severely diminished the country\u2019s production of valuable crops. With this background in mind, it becomes clear why the South pragmatically fought for slavery; without it, their economy would fail. <\/p>\n

\tThe do-or-die mentality of Southern leaders altered the Civil War. President Lincoln recognized Southern dependence on slavery, and he even lamented that \u201cif all early power given me, I should not know what to do, as to the existing institution [of slavery]\u201d (306). This observation necessitated the Union approach Southern defeat with caution. Likewise, the South exhausted all resources in attempt to emerge victorious. The Confederacy lost over 260,000 soldiers, which \u201crepresented 18 to 20 percent of the Confederate states\u2019 white adult male population\u201d (300). More importantly, the South significantly expanded the powers of its central government. Davis observes, \u201cIn both North and South the central governments assumed unprecedented powers, typified by the military draft, which was first inaugurated by the South\u201d (301). The Confederacy viewed the loss of resources and change in governmental power as necessary by the Confederacy in an attempt to win the Civil War-a war that they knew would have vast ramifications on their economy and life. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While no side of a war wants to concede defeat, the Confederacy seemed particularly resistant to a Union victory, especially towards the end of the war. Though we have been taught of the importance of slavery to Southern livelihood, Davis in Chapter 15 of Inhuman Bondage further explores Southern dependence on slavery. He emphasizes that … <\/p>\n

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