Capitals in the ACW

Was it actually a disadvantage for the South to have Washington on the border looking like such an attractive objective?

Had, somehow the Capital been much further North would the South have fought a more effective war?

Equally had the Confederate Capital stayed at Montgomery might the North have had a better strategy rather than pouring huge efforts and so much blood and treasure into taking Richmond.
 
It would have granted both sides more flexibility, but since there were more people and more newspapers in the east, they probably still would have focused efforts there.
 
I think moving the capital away from DC would've offered the South a slight advantage for two reasons. First, they might be able to fight a slightly smarter war. Second, the North would be greatly inconvenienced by being forced to completely move the capital from where it's been entrenched for the last, what, 50/60 years, both logistically and for morale. On the other hand, it completely removes the capability of the south to capture DC, which tends to be a big deal in a lot of Southern Victory TLs.

I don't really think it'd be nearly enough to change the outcome of the war, though. And if the capital is moved back after the war is over, it won't even have a lot of long term effects (outside of butterflies, of course).
 
I think moving the capital away from DC would've offered the South a slight advantage for two reasons. First, they might be able to fight a slightly smarter war. Second, the North would be greatly inconvenienced by being forced to completely move the capital from where it's been entrenched for the last, what, 50/60 years, both logistically and for morale. On the other hand, it completely removes the capability of the south to capture DC, which tends to be a big deal in a lot of Southern Victory TLs.

I don't really think it'd be nearly enough to change the outcome of the war, though. And if the capital is moved back after the war is over, it won't even have a lot of long term effects (outside of butterflies, of course).

Maryland might also come over to the Confederacy. IOTL it was flooded with troops to prevent it from going to the South and have the Capital surrounded. No Capital in DC and this might be avoided.

Also, I thought this was going to be a hockey thread and I'm disappointed.
 
Maryland might also come over to the Confederacy. IOTL it was flooded with troops to prevent it from going to the South and have the Capital surrounded. No Capital in DC and this might be avoided.

As one of the biggest battlegrounds, I think Maryland would've been pretty much flooded with troops, anyway. Maybe not as many, but I doubt the difference in number would've been huge.
 
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