Question

Why did the Union army want to control the Mississippi River and its tributaries? (Select all answers that apply.)

A. Union ships could prevent Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas from sending supplies to the eastern Confederacy.
B. Union gunboats and troops would be able to move into the heart of the Confederacy.
C. Union soldiers could keep the Confederate army from splitting the North in two

Answer 1

The Union army wanted to control the Mississippi River and its tributaries to prevent supplies from reaching the eastern Confederacy, gain access to the heart of the Confederacy, and prevent the Confederate army from splitting the North in two.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Union army wanted to control the Mississippi River and its tributaries for several reasons:

1. Union ships could prevent Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas from sending supplies to the eastern Confederacy: By controlling the Mississippi River, the Union could block Confederate states from shipping supplies to the eastern Confederacy, weakening their ability to sustain their forces.
2. Union gunboats and troops would be able to move into the heart of the Confederacy: By gaining control of the Mississippi River, the Union would have a direct route into the heart of the Confederacy, allowing them to launch military operations deep into Confederate territory.
3. Union soldiers could keep the Confederate army from splitting the North in two: The Mississippi River served as a vital transportation route for the Confederacy. By controlling it, the Union could prevent the Confederate army from splitting the North in two, keeping their forces more easily coordinated.