Final answer:
The Confederacy's advantages during the Civil War included their capacity for defensive warfare due to territorial familiarity and support from local populations, as well as the experienced military leadership and combat-ready lifestyles of Southern soldiers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Confederacy had several advantages during the Civil War, despite facing significant challenges in terms of population and industrial capacity. One key advantage was their capacity for defensive warfare. The Confederacy didn't have to conquer the North; they just needed to defend their territory, which spanned over 750,000 square miles. Additionally, the terrain knowledge and civilian support they possessed, due to the war being fought mainly in the South, contributed to their defensive strength.
Another significant advantage was the Confederate leadership. Many Confederate military leaders were experienced and had attended West Point, bringing valuable strategic and tactical expertise to the Southern cause. Moreover, the Confederate soldiers were often familiar with firearms and horsemanship due to the rural lifestyle of the South, unlike many Northern urban recruits.