Question

Why did Northern strategists view the Mississippi River and its tributaries as vital to a Union victory in the Civil War?

It kept the South from invading the North.
Control of it would split the South in half.
It would stop supplies from reaching the South.
It would provide a safe route to Western states.

Answer 1

Northern strategists viewed the Mississippi River and its tributaries as vital to a Union victory in the Civil War because control of it would split the South in half.

During the Civil War, taking control of the Mississippi River became one of the main objectives for the North. On July 4, 1863 after a forty-day siege, Vicksburg was taken by General Ulysses S. Grant, which allowed the Union to control the river and divide the Confederacy into two.

Answer 2

The correct answer is C) It would stop supplies from reaching the South.

Northern strategists viewed the Mississippi River and its tributaries as vital to a Union victory in the Civil War because it would stop supplies from reaching the South.

The Union Army knew that if they were capable of defeating the Confederates and control the Mississippi River ports, they could stop supplies from reaching the South. Without supplies, it was just a matter of time to gradually debilitate the Confederate Army.

That is why the victory and control of Vicksburg, Mississippi was so important for the Union. On July 4, 1863, Confederate General John Pemberton surrendered the city to Union's General Ulysses S. Grant.