how did the south plan to win war.
By winning battles that forced the Union soldiers out of the Confederate states, and waging war into Pennsylvania and other bordering Union states until the Union agreed to allow secession.
The South only had to turn back Union advances until Britain or France might help convince the North to end the war or to provide military aid to the South. They hoped for foreign aid and hoped that a lack of military success would force the public to put pressure on Lincoln to end the war. The South also tried "cotton diplomacy" by putting a pinch on British mills who, the South thought, would need cotton from the Confederacy. This site will have more information.
sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/warweb.html
MrV is quite correct. The Confederacy hoped to gain an advantage by getting Britain to enter the war on the side of the South. Thanks in large part to the good sense of Queen Victoria, it never happened.
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To understand how the South planned to win the war during the American Civil War, it's important to delve into their main strategies and objectives. The Confederate States of America had a number of goals and tactics they hoped would lead them to victory. Here are some key aspects of the southern plan:
1. Defensive Strategy: The South aimed to defend its vast territory and draw out the conflict for an extended period. They believed that by forcing the Union to fight on Southern soil, they could wear down the North's will to continue the war. This strategy aimed to exploit the South's familiarity with the terrain and the difficulties faced by the Union forces as they advanced deeper into Confederate territory.
2. Military Leadership: The Confederacy relied on a number of talented military commanders, such as General Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, who were highly respected for their tactical skills and familiarity with Southern geography. These leaders were instrumental in implementing the South's defensive strategy and achieving several notable victories on the battlefield.
3. Foreign Intervention: The Confederates counted on gaining support from European powers, particularly Britain and France, who were heavily reliant on the South's cotton exports. By gaining diplomatic recognition and potential military aid from foreign countries, the Confederacy hoped to tip the balance of power in their favor.
4. Economy and Logistics: The South's plan relied on maintaining their agricultural economy, particularly the production and export of cash crops like cotton. They hoped that economic desperation caused by a lack of cotton supply in Europe would pressure European powers to intervene on their behalf. Additionally, they sought to disrupt Union supply lines, particularly through raiding and guerrilla warfare, in order to weaken the Northern war effort and prolong the conflict.
5. War of Attrition: The Confederate forces aimed to inflict heavy casualties on the Union army. They hoped that the prolonged nature of the war, along with the casualties suffered by the North, would eventually erode the Union's public support and will to continue fighting.
Despite these strategies, the Confederacy ultimately failed to achieve victory. The Union's overall military and economic advantages, coupled with key Union victories, such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the capture of Vicksburg, gradually diminished the South's chances of success.