Final answer:
Union forces aimed to control Tennessee to gain strategic advantage over transportation routes and supply lines, dividing the Confederacy and providing a platform for further advances. Control over rivers such as the Mississippi and key victories like Shiloh were crucial, and Tennessee's resources were a significant loss to the Confederates.
Step-by-step explanation:
It was geographically important for Union forces to conquer Tennessee during the Civil War because it was a strategic location for controlling the major rivers, particularly the Mississippi River, which was crucial for splitting the Confederacy in two. Tennessee's capture was key to controlling transportation and supply lines. The region's rivers, such as the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, provided natural transportation routes that were vital for the movement of troops and supplies. Additionally, conquering Tennessee allowed the Union forces to gain a foothold in the South, which was necessary for launching further offensives into Confederate territories. The battle of Shiloh and the ultimate control of Nashville highlighted the significance of Tennessee in the Union's western campaign.
Major battles such as the one at Shiloh, and the subsequent victory at Vicksburg, were critical in gaining control over this region. Furthermore, Tennessee had joined the Confederacy with significant resources, which meant that its loss was a blow to Confederate capabilities and morale. With the state's capture, the Union solidified its control over key strategic points and disrupted the enemy's supply lines, contributing to the eventual Union victory.