Why did the South decide to fight a defensive war?
A) to protect their plantations
B) to make the North look like the aggressor
C) to take advantage of their knowledge of the land
D) to make maximum use of their limited transportation system
The South decided to fight a defensive war primarily for reasons A) to protect their plantations and D) to make maximum use of their limited transportation system. The South heavily relied on agriculture and plantation-based economies, so protecting their plantations was crucial for their survival and economic stability. By fighting a defensive war, the South aimed to defend their territories and prevent the Union army from advancing and destroying their plantations.
Additionally, the South had a limited transportation system compared to the North. They lacked an extensive railway network and had fewer manufacturing capabilities. Therefore, by fighting defensively, the South aimed to take advantage of their knowledge of the land, such as the dense forests and difficult terrains, to hinder the Union army's progress and make it harder for them to navigate and supply their troops.
While the second option, B) to make the North look like the aggressor, may have been a secondary motive for the South, it was not the primary reason for their choice to fight a defensive war. Similarly, although their knowledge of the land (option C) played a role in their defensive strategy, it was more of a tactical advantage rather than the main reason for their decision.