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When the Civil War began, what were the strategies of each side? How did Southern and Northern military strategies change from 1863 to 1865? With what results? Why did the North ultimately win the Civil War?

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At the start of the Civil War, both the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states) developed different strategies based on their respective goals and resources.1. Strategies at the beginning of the war (1861-1862):- Union Strategy: The Union's initial strategy aimed to preserve the Union by defeating the Confederacy and restoring federal authority. They planned to blockade Southern ports to weaken the Confederate economy and cut off its supply lines. Additionally, the Union planned to seize control of the Mississippi River to split the Confederacy in half and suffocate its resources.- Confederate Strategy: The Confederacy's strategy focused on defending its territory and gaining recognition as an independent nation. They believed that foreign intervention might assist them if they demonstrated military prowess. The Confederacy aimed to wage a defensive war, repelling Union forces and prolonging the conflict until the North grew weary and political pressure forced the Union to negotiate for peace.2. Changing strategies (1863-1865):- Northern Strategy (1863-1865): The Union's strategy shifted under the leadership of General Ulysses S. Grant and President Abraham Lincoln. Grant adopted a comprehensive approach aiming for attrition, intending to break the Confederate will to fight by relentlessly engaging their armies. The Union launched large-scale offensives, such as the Vicksburg Campaign, to gain control of the Mississippi River fully. Moreover, they sought to destroy Confederate armies and infrastructure in the Eastern Theater, leading to critical battles like Gettysburg and Sherman's March to the Sea.- Southern Strategy (1863-1865): The Confederacy's strategy evolved into a desperate defensive stand as their resources diminished. They relied on guerrilla warfare tactics to disrupt Union supply lines and wore down the Northern will to continue fighting. However, due to increasing blockades, lack of resources, and the loss of key battles, the Confederacy struggled to sustain military operations.Results and Reasons for the North's Victory:- The North ultimately won the Civil War due to several factors:1. Superior resources: The Union had more extensive industrial capabilities, a larger population, and greater access to resources, including money, supplies, and weaponry.2. Geographic advantages: The Union's control of the key border states, naval dominance, and control of the Mississippi River severely restricted the Confederacy's ability to operate effectively.3. Effective military leadership: Union generals, such as Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, implemented successful strategies and coordinated efforts across multiple fronts.4. Emancipation Proclamation: President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863, shifted the Union's focus toward emancipation and helped garner international support by framing the war as a struggle against slavery.5. Political unity: Despite divisions and political challenges, the Northern states maintained a unified purpose and support for the war effort.Overall, the North's superior resources and military strategies, combined with political and economic advantages, eventually overwhelmed the Confederacy, leading to its defeat in 1865 and the preservation of the Union.
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