What was the goal of the anaconda plan?

The goal of the Anaconda Plan was to squeeze the life out of the South by a naval blockade to cut off shipping, as well as a thrust down the Mississippi River.

The Anaconda Plan uses the term "anaconda," which is a large type of boa snake which squeezes the life out of its victims.  As a military strategy, the Anaconda Plan was proposed by Union General Winfield Scott.  The "anaconda" analogy refers especially to the blockade of the coastline of the Confederate states.

Anaconda plan was designed to repress the South into losing the Civil War. Furthermore, there were two main objectives of anaconda plan.

EXPLANATION:

At the commencement of the war, General Winfield Scott devised the Anaconda Plan to gain a Union victory. The plan would detach the South from the outside world, prevent trade, restrain transportation, and decrease resources. The strategy was never fully applied, as Scott’s generals said that it was too passive. They favored to destroy South with thin numbers North, which contradicted the Anaconda Plan, and would reduce losses but needed patience.

There were two fundamental objectives of Anaconda plan:

1.Naval Blockade

The South depended profoundly on trade with European controls, especially Britain and France. Anaconda plan expected to build a naval blockade at the ports of the Atlantic Confederation and the Gulf of Mexico. By doing that, the South’s trade will be interrupted. The economy would be paralyzed, and the Confederacy would run out of resources soon.

2.Mississippi River

This river was the main method of transportation in the South. While the North was very advanced and depended on railroad lines, the South still mostly used boats. The Anaconda plan would move 60,000 Union troops in 40 steamboats and 20 warships along the Mississippi River, capturing strongholds and cities along the way. This would protect the river to the sea blockade, splitting the South in two and building communication lines between the North and the ships.

Although the Plan was refused, it was later reviewed by Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman. These people used the Anaconda Plan version to finally win the war against the Confederacy.

LEARN MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, we recommend you to also take a look at the following questions:

•What is the meaning of anaconda plan?

•Purpose of the anaconda plan?

Keywords: Anaconda Plan, Civil War

Subject  : History

Class  : 7-9

Sub-Chapter: American History