For your Venn diagram, let's fill out the middle part first. Both sides had poorly trained armies, at least at first. A large majority of the soldiers were not fighting for or against the cause of slavery. Both sides used Napoleonic tactics in war, meaning that they fought in lines in order to maximize the firepower of smooth-bore weapons. Both armies were hit hard by disease--you were more likely to die of disease or infection...
For your Venn diagram, let's fill out the middle part first. Both sides had poorly trained armies, at least at first. A large majority of the soldiers were not fighting for or against the cause of slavery. Both sides used Napoleonic tactics in war, meaning that they fought in lines in order to maximize the firepower of smooth-bore weapons. Both armies were hit hard by disease--you were more likely to die of disease or infection than you were due to bullet in the Civil War. On the Confederate side, say that their fight was to protect states' rights. Their military leadership was initially better due to the defection of Robert E. Lee to their side. Fewer men than the North, but better trained. Also, the South held out the possibility of getting European intervention because of Europe's dependence on cotton. The South was also fighting a defensive war. On the Union side, say that they had more people and a flood of immigrants to boost those numbers. The North had to invade the South in order to win the war. The North was fighting for the preservation of the Union. The North had a sizable advantage with railroads and industry. The North also put in a naval blockade of the South. The North had better political leadership, as Lincoln managed to isolate the South diplomatically and he kept the nation focused on the war even as casualties mounted. Northern soldiers were typically better supplied and fed than their Southern counterparts.
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