What was the anaconda Plan

To surround the Confederacy with armies to the North and down the Mississippi system and the Navy on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico, then squeeze. It was pet plan of General Scott.

http://history1800s.about.com/od/1800sglossary/g/Anaconda-Plan-def.htm

The Anaconda Plan was a Union strategy devised during the American Civil War by General Winfield Scott. It aimed to defeat the Confederacy by implementing a naval blockade of Southern ports and controlling the Mississippi River. This plan was named after the anaconda snake, which constricts its prey.

To understand what the Anaconda Plan was, you can follow these steps:

1. Research the American Civil War: Start by understanding the context of the American Civil War, which took place from 1861 to 1865. This will give you a general background of the war's objectives and the opposing sides.

2. Study General Winfield Scott: Look into the life and career of General Winfield Scott, who served as the commanding general of the United States Army at the outbreak of the civil war. Understanding his military experience and expertise will help you grasp the motivation behind his plan.

3. Explore the Anaconda Plan: Investigate the details of the Anaconda Plan itself. It involved establishing a naval blockade of Southern ports to restrict Confederate trade and supplies, while simultaneously gaining control of the Mississippi River to divide the Confederacy in half. This strategy aimed to slowly strangle and suffocate the Southern states, as an anaconda snake does to its prey.

4. Analyze its effectiveness: Consider the impact and effectiveness of the Anaconda Plan on the course of the American Civil War. While it was never fully implemented, some elements of the strategy were employed, such as naval blockades and controlling key sections of the Mississippi River.

By following these steps, you should gain a comprehensive understanding of what the Anaconda Plan was and its significance during the American Civil War.