Weapons of Civil War

     The Civil War was a battle of old technology against the modern weaponry that was beginning to take place. Basic weaponry like knives and swords still saw their use while new-age weapons, like the ever evolving rifle was even more prevalent. I see railroads, the development of factories and the use of the telegram as unspoken weaponry in this war.
     Civil war cannons were common among the two sides. Although they weren't used as often, cannons were sure to embed fear into the enemy. Rifles include the springfield, the Colt, the Lorenz and more. One key feature that made this war so deadly was the invention (Eli Whitney) of interchangeable parts. This allowed guns to be prepared and replaced more frequently. A huge component was the Minie ball. An entire industry arose because of this piece of technology. Men could shoot 3,000 an hour. It allowed for much quicker and easier reloading than previously used bullets. They were delivered in millions and inflicted more damage with greater accuracy.
   In the end the North's ability to produce more weapons with a greater number of factories and railroad's was the deciding factor. Many argue the South had better trained men but with the North's heavily weighted(in their favor) population there isn't much the South could do. This war catapulted the world into a new age of weaponry, wether it was good or bad I can't say but change was without question.

Sources:

http://www.historynet.com/civil-war-weapons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmoFVdxvARo