How did the number of factories in the North affect the Civil War?

One major difference between the North (Union) and South (Confederacy) during the US Civil War was the nature of their economies. While the entirety of the US was still predominantly agricultural, the Union states had a far greater industrial capacity than the Confederacy.

First, the North’s factories could mass-produce weapons, including rifles, cannons, and bullets, as well as other military supplies such as uniforms, boots, and tents, allowing the Union Army to be better equipped and more quickly re-equipped relative to the Confederate Army.

Industrial production also gave the Union a logistical advantage through its railroad network. Many factories were able to quickly produce railroad tracks, trains, and necessary repair parts, allowing for faster troop and supply movement.

Wartime production and economic diversity also gave the North a general resilience during the war, allowing it to sustain large, well-equipped armies.