1. Western Theatre

2. Strategy
Union: Winfield Scott’s three part Anaconda Plan (Stop supplies, divide and conquer)
1. Union naval blockade of the South
2. Gain control of the Mississippi River (cut South in half)
3. Take the Confederate capital of Richmond, VA

3. Strategy Confederacy: Defensive war Hold on and let Union tire of war
Win support of Europe (Europe needs Southern cotton)

4. War in the West Goal: Control the Mississippi River
General Ulysses S. Grant led Union forces in the West
Union needed to take all the rivers connected to the Mississippi river to control it.

5. War in Tennessee Tennessee was torn on secession
East Tennessee was pro-Union (only few slaves), but turned when Lincoln asked for troops
Cumberland and Tennessee rivers were targeted by the Union
Fort Henry and Fort Donelson are both taken by Union forces
Grant accepted only “unconditional surrender”
Opened Tennessee
Became a hero to the Union for his aggressive tactics

6. Discussion How did Tennessee feel about secession?
What was the major goal of the Union in the West?
What problems may occur for the Confederacy if the Union achieves its goal in the West?

7. Battle of Shiloh
Grant continued down the Tennessee river near Corinth, Mississippi (a major RR junction)
The Confederates attempted a surprise attack on the Union
Grant was able to get a victory even with losing more soldiers than the Confederates
Grant sacrificed men to win (Questioned by Congress)
Effects:
Enormous losses on both sides
Union victory opened up much of the Upper South’s rivers

8. Union takes New Orleans
Shiloh allowed the Union to capture the South’s most important port city, New Orleans
Admiral David Farragut and Union naval forces were able to capture the city
The loss of New Orleans meant the South no longer could use the Mississippi river.

9. Reflection
Why was the Union’s strategy to take the rivers so important?