Question: The Civil War began even before President Lincoln was inaugurated. What were the North and South's advantages and disadvantages at the beginning of the War? What was the Anaconda Plan, and how successful was it? What happened at the first Battle of Bull Run? Why did Robert E Lee drive his army into Pennsylvania before losing at Gettysburg? Why didn't the British and French recognize the Confederacy? What was Sherman's March to the Sea? Why did the South lose the war?