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Maps have a way of making history feel immediate, and this one is no exception. Reddit user alectprasad created a map that compares the states that once formed the Confederate States of America (CSA) to the rest of the United States today. The map takes modern economic, military, and demographic data and divides the country along lines drawn more than 150 years ago.
Here’s the data that was used to create the map:
Comparison of the Former Confederate States and the Rest of the U.S. Today
Category
Former Confederate States
The Rest of the U.S.
Population
104,478,000
217,702,000
GDP
$5.079 Trillion
$13.49 Trillion
Average Income
$42,175
$53,159
Military Budget
$161.2 Billion
$450 Billion
Active Soldiers
1,153,000
1,211,000
Largest City
Houston
New York City
White Population
56%
67%
African-American Population
19%
8%
Hispanic and Latino Population
18%
14%
Asian Population
3%
6%
Other Races
4%
5%
(Note: The data was sourced from the U.S. Census, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and defense budget reports.)
The Economic and Social Divide: Then and Now
These numbers reflect a historical divide that shaped the U.S. and continues to influence it today.
The South’s Economy: Then and Now
Before the Civil War, the Southern economy revolved around cash crops like cotton, tobacco, and sugar. It was an economy built on enslaved labor and plantation wealth, in contrast to the North, which was industrializing rapidly with factories, railroads, and financial hubs.
Today, the South has diversified, but remnants of this past remain. Agriculture is still a major industry, but now Texas leads in oil and energy, Florida thrives on tourism, and states like Georgia and Alabama have attracted major manufacturing plants. Yet, per capita income in the former Confederate states still trails behind the rest of the country—an economic gap that has never fully closed.
Population and Racial Demographics
One of the most notable differences in the table above is the racial composition. The former Confederate states have a higher percentage of African Americans than the rest of the U.S. This is a direct legacy of slavery and the Great Migration, when millions of Black Americans moved north in search of better opportunities during the 20th century.
Meanwhile, the rest of the U.S. has a larger proportion of Asian Americans, due in part to immigration waves from East and South Asia, particularly after the 1965 Immigration Act.
What If the South Had Won the Civil War?
It’s a question that has fueled countless books, films, and debates. What would have happened if the Confederacy had achieved independence? Here are some possibilities:
The CSA would have struggled economically. Without industrial development and with declining international support for slavery, it might have faced severe financial difficulties.
Slavery could have persisted longer, though international pressure—especially from Britain and France—may have forced its abolition sooner rather than later.
The U.S. and CSA may have become bitter rivals, potentially engaging in military conflicts similar to those between North and South Korea today.
The Civil Rights Movement could have taken a vastly different shape, with even deeper racial divides persisting well into the 20th and 21st centuries.
It’s impossible to know exactly what would have happened, but these scenarios highlight how the Civil War shaped the modern United States. If you’re interested in exploring alternate Civil War history further, check out these books on Amazon:
Does this data change how you think about regional differences in the U.S.? What do you think would have happened if the South had won? Let’s discuss in the comments!
