![]() This did not starve the Confederacy, but it did severely hamper its war-making efforts and forced the government in March 1864 to require blockade-runners to allot half of their cargo for military supplies. The reduced flow of goods led to shortages and higher prices that contributed to civilian discontent. Although it never came close to completely cutting the Confederacy off from the rest of the world, it did reduce the usual flow of goods and supplies to the South. ![]() Initially, with the Navy spread so thin, the blockade was not effective and allowed Confederate and foreign blockade-runners to elude capture easily.Īs the war progressed, so did the North's ability to make the blockade more effective with the commissioning of almost 700 vessels. To counter this problem, early in the war the government tried to require blockade-runners to reserve one-third of their load for military supplies. ![]() Instead, the blockade-runners preferred to ship luxury items such as silks and liquor, as these goods brought the highest profits. The Confederate government was desperate to acquire war material such as guns, powder, cannons, clothes, and other supplies from blockade-runners, but it was difficult for the government to persuade them to ship what it needed. Although at first the blockade proved to be porous, it soon began to affect the South. With these ideas in mind, the main objectives of the blockade were to prevent desperately needed goods-including war material, manufactured goods, and luxury items-from reaching the South and to stop the exportation of raw cotton to foreign manufacturers.Īccomplishing these objectives in 1861 proved to be a challenge because the Union Navy at the beginning of the war had only thirty-five modern vessels (only three of which were steam powered) to patrol 189 harbors and 3,000 miles of coast. In addition, the South relied on them to purchase Southern cotton and other cash crops. Scott knew that the South relied heavily on manufactured goods from the Northern states and foreign countries. Starting on April 19, 1861, the blockade was part of General Winfield Scott's strategy called the Anaconda Plan, which was an effort to reduce the South's ability to make war. Is there anything you would like to ask or add? If yes, make sure you leave a comment below.The first action of naval warfare in the American Civil War was the blockade of Southern ports by the Union Navy. Hopefully, you found the gist above informative and interesting. Now, you have the answer you need to “ What was a main military strategy of the North?” and other essential information about the strategies of the North in the Civil War. However, even after the loss of 50,000 soldiers and the nickname, “The Butcher” General Grant continued his march to the sea, destroying Atlanta, then Savannah, and finally, South Carolina- the heart of the South’s secession. The plan was to ramp up casualties and make the cost so high that the North’s public would no longer support it. On the other hand, the South’s strategy was to leverage the compact geography, terrain, and internal communications to offset the North’s high numbers of troops. Then, in 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman stripped the South’s foods and materials supply.Īs a result, the rebellion was defeated, and the first two of five goals were accomplished. General Ulysses Grant captured Vicksburg city, gained control of the Mississippi River, and chopped the Confederacy in two. It was not until 1963 was the plan “revisited”. Instead, President Lincoln ordered an attack. It was rejected for being too complacent and time-consuming. But at the time, its passive nature was not supported. The plan is said to be the “humanely” way to end the war. Presumably, the Anaconda surrounds the South and squeezes until the Confederacy suffocates. The second part is capturing the Mississippi River, which is a catalyst to cropping the South’s economy, leaving the states bare and having to surrender. In addition, the South cannot contact or reach for help from abroad. The idea was to block fleets on the eastern and Gulf coasts, which, in turn, stops exports and cuts off supplies, strangling the Southern states. Today, it is also commonly referred to as Scott’s Snake. The bulk of the strategy was the Anaconda Plan, proposed by General Winfield Scott. Break the Confederate Army’s spirits by engaging the enemy with Northern troops.Destroy Atlanta, Savannah, and South Carolina to crush civilian morale.Capture Richmond, the Confederacy’s capital. ![]()
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