In the wake of the civil war, compared to the south the north

I don't know what your options are, but some differences were that:

The North was more urban and the South was rural.
The North had more European Immigrants
The North did not have slavery
The North had a better transportation
The North had a better education, and more engineers.

productive most commonly means: achieving or producing a significant amount or result.

explanation:

productive can also mean:

producing or giving rise torelating to or engaged in the production of goods, crops, or other commodities.

these depend on how the word productive is used. most likely productive will mean   achieving or producing a significant amount or result.

*blinks* youforgotyourname**