What was a significant concern that motivated Confederate strategies during the Civil War?

The significant concern that motivated Confederate strategies during the Civil War was the excessive reliance on Northern manpower. The Confederacy faced the reality of being outnumbered in terms of soldiers, as the Union had a larger population and more resources to draw upon. This disparity in manpower was a central issue for the Confederates, who understood that sustaining a prolonged conflict would require innovative strategies to compensate for their numerical inferiority.

Consequently, the Confederacy implemented strategies such as defensive warfare, which relied on holding territory rather than aggressive offensives. This approach aimed to exploit the Union's logistical challenges and wear down Northern resolve over time. Additionally, Confederate leaders were also conscious of the need to maintain high morale among troops and the civilian population, knowing that reliance on their own limited resources would have to be supplemented by strategic endeavors, including potential alliances with foreign powers, to mitigate their manpower disadvantage.

This focus on manpower needs framed many decisions throughout the war, shaping Confederate military tactics and their overall approach to engaging the Union forces.