Question

Why did the North have an advantage

Answer 1

The North had several advantages over the South at the outset of the Civil War. The North had a larger population, a greater industrial base, a greater amount of wealth, and an established government. They also controlled the navy, so the seas were in the hands of the Union

Answer 2

Despite the North's greater population, however, the South had an army almost equal in size during the first year of the war. The North had an enormous industrial advantage as well. ... Since the North controlled the navy, the seas were in the hands of the Union. A blockade could suffocate the South