Final answer:
The Confederate leaders hoped that a victory on Northern soil would break the Union's spirit and accelerate the end of the war, leading to Southern independence. They also aimed to convince European powers like Britain and France to support the Confederacy through diplomatic recognition, financial aid, or potential military intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Confederate leaders during the American Civil War had a couple of significant hopes. Firstly, they believed that a victory on Northern soil would potentially break the Union's spirit and lead to a hastened end to the conflict. This result, they hoped, would sway the public and political opinion in the North towards negotiation and peace, leading to recognition of Southern independence.
Secondly, the Confederacy aimed to convince European countries, particularly powerful nations like Britain and France, to assist the South by means of diplomatic recognition, financial aid, or even military intervention. Their strategy relied heavily on the critical role of Southern cotton in the European textile industry. The Confederate leaders hoped that by stopping cotton exports, European powers would be forced to intervene in the conflict to restore their cotton supply.
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