Question

Because it was one of only two Confederate holdouts preventing the Union from taking complete control of the Mississippi River, Grant focused on capturing ___.

A. New Orleans
B. Baton Rouge
C. Vicksburg
D. Gettysburg"

Answer 1

Vicksburg was the target of General Ulysses S. Grant's campaign because its capture allowed the Union to gain control over the Mississippi River, thereby splitting the Confederacy and marking a turning point in the Civil War.

Step-by-step explanation:

C. Vicksburg.

As a strategic point along the Mississippi River, Vicksburg was crucial for the Confederate states because its location allowed control over river traffic. Union General Ulysses S. Grant recognized the importance of Vicksburg and put great effort into capturing it. His initial assaults by land and water in 1862 were unsuccessful, which led to a change in tactics in the following year. In May 1863, Grant laid siege to the city—a long, arduous process that finally led to the capture of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, after over a month of siege. This victory was pivotal for the Union, as it effectively split the Confederacy and provided complete control over the river, which was a significant strategic victory in the Western Theater. The success of the Vicksburg campaign and concurrent defeat of Confederate forces at Gettysburg were turning points in the Civil War that shifted the balance towards the Union.