What was the name given to the North's overall plan to divide the South in two?
At the beginning of the Civil War, General Winfield Scott developed his "Anaconda Plan" to defeat the Confederacy by blockading the South's ports and then cutting off and controlling the Mississippi River so that the South would be isolated from trade with the rest of the world. By cutting the South in half and controlling both the Mississippi and sea ports, the Union would slowly strangle the South, preventing much-needed supplies from entering the South. Scott developed this plan because he believed it would win the war without massive casualties on both sides—as the South ran out of supplies and food, they would eventually be forced to surrender. However, some Union commanders felt it was too conservative and would lead to a protracted war, and many journalists ridiculed the plan, dubbing it the "Anaconda Plan" after the anaconda snake, which slowly strangles its prey to death. At first the plan proved unsuccessful—about 90% of Confederate ships were able to break the blockade, allowing the South to continue importing supplies and food necessary to continue the war. However, by 1862, the Union had strengthened its blockade, and key Union victories at Antietam and Gettysburg in 1862 and 1863 turned the tide in favor of the Union. General Grant's successful campaign in the West allowed the Union to seize control of the Mississippi River, and by 1863, the South was feeling the pressures of the blockade and a string of Union victories.
Comments
Post a Comment