What was the most important technological or technical advance made during and for the Civil War ?
Which do you think was "most important?"
http://www.history.com/topics/civil-war-technology
http://www.hackman-adams.com/guns/Technology.htm
The most important technological advance made during the Civil War was the development and use of ironclad warships. These vessels were revolutionary for their time and had a significant impact on naval warfare.
To understand this technological advance, we need to look into the historical context and the significance of ironclad warships during the Civil War.
During the mid-19th century, naval warfare primarily relied on wooden ships that were vulnerable to cannon fire. However, in 1859, the French launched the first successful ironclad warship, the "La Gloire," which was equipped with iron armor and steam propulsion. This development sparked interest among naval powers around the world, including the United States.
At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, the U.S. Navy started realizing the potential benefits of ironclad ships. Both the Union and Confederate forces recognized the need to adapt to this new technology as traditional wooden ships were becoming outdated and ineffective.
To meet this need, in 1861, the Confederacy converted the scuttled USS Merrimack into an ironclad, which they renamed the CSS Virginia. This ship played a pivotal role in the Battle of Hampton Roads in March 1862 when it engaged in a historic clash against the Union's ironclad vessel, the USS Monitor.
The Battle of Hampton Roads marked the emergence of ironclad warships as the future of naval warfare. It showcased the advantages of these vessels, such as their durability, firepower, and ability to resist traditional methods of attack. The battle ended in a stalemate, but it demonstrated that naval warfare was entering a new era, with ironclads dominating the seas.
The technological advance of ironclad warships during the Civil War had a profound impact on military strategy, weapons development, and naval tactics. It prompted the construction and deployment of more ironclads by both the Union and the Confederacy, drastically changing the naval balance of power on the Eastern seaboard.
So, to answer your question, the most important technological or technical advance made during and for the Civil War was the development and use of ironclad warships, specifically demonstrated by the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia during the Battle of Hampton Roads.