Common Problems for an Extended War and the Solutions Essay

Neither the North nor the in the south had prepared for an extended war. Two years into the conflict, both faced common difficulties. Foremost was the lack of currency and manpower. The war was expensive and both treasuries were depleted. While neither initially wanted to impose direct revenue enhancementes to finance the war, they were forced by circumstances to turn to taxation though on a small-scale. The North seemed to soak up had more success in raising funds.With the Norths population greater than that of the South, the new tax was able to finance 21% of the war expenses while it was only 1% for the South. Both also time-tested borrowing. The North being more committed to the idea and was able to obtain more than $2 million worth of bonds in loan. Another solution that was considered and eventually enforced was the printing of paper coin. The Confederacy started with $ c million while the Union printed $150 million worth of greenbacks so called because of its color.The flooding of paper money expectedly led to inflation that resulted to food prices increasing to 80%. This led to hardships in the urban areas which were unable to upgrade their own food. Volunteers in the ground forces for both sides dwindled off as disillusionment set in. The prestige of army life with its military parades and victories were gone as the harsh realities of deadly diseases, camp life boredom, loss of values, nonpersonal destruction and conditions of being half-starved, half-frozen and half-drowned were experienced. There were also desertions.To entice would-be soldiers, sign-up bonuses of $800 to $1000 were given to outsiders. Soon, they resorted to the draft scorn anticipated opposition and anger by the general populace. However, instead of forcing men to serve, they encouraged those who are already in the army to re-enlist and attract volunteers. The South needed more of these draftees since the North had about 180,000 able immigrants to deal from. The allowanc e for substitution and exemption, however, led to even further resentments as the conditions clearly favored the rich.