Final answer:
The minié ball's improved range and accuracy contributed to the lethality of Civil War battles, with the industrialized North producing more of these rifled weapons than the South and thus benefiting more from the technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minié ball was a significant advancement in rifle technology that had a notable impact on the outcome of the Civil War. Its conical shape and hollow base allowed for greater range and accuracy, contributing to the lethality of battlefields. The North, with its industrial advantage, produced these rifled weapons in greater numbers, thus benefitting more from this technological advancement than the South.
Consequently, the Union forces were able to utilize the minié ball effectively, leading to higher casualty rates in battles. This, combined with the North's superior ability to produce war materials and utilize transportation networks, such as railroads and steamboats, further tipped the scales in favor of the Union. The impact of the minié ball was part of a larger picture of technological superiority that helped the North prevail.