Question

question 9 of 10

the earliest strategy the union developed to defeat the confederacy involved:

a. using a naval blockade to cut off supplies to southern states.
b. completely destroying cities and farms to terrify southern citizens.
c. focusing all military force on one confederate state at a time.
d. arming enslaved people to attack confederate troops.

Explanation:

Identify the core historical strategy

The question asks for the earliest strategy developed by the Union to defeat the Confederacy. This strategy is historically known as the Anaconda Plan, proposed by General Winfield Scott at the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861.

Evaluate the options against the Anaconda Plan

The Anaconda Plan emphasized a naval blockade of Southern ports to restrict trade and cut off supplies, combined with an advance down the Mississippi River to divide the Confederacy.

• Option A directly describes the naval blockade component of this early strategy.
• Option B describes "total war" tactics (like Sherman's March to the Sea), which were implemented much later in the war.
• Option C is historically inaccurate as the Union fought on multiple fronts simultaneously.
• Option D refers to the enlistment of African American soldiers, which occurred later in the war following the Emancipation Proclamation.

Answer:

• A. using a naval blockade to cut off supplies to Southern states. (Correct answer)
• B. completely destroying cities and farms to terrify Southern citizens.
• C. focusing all military force on one Confederate state at a time.
• D. arming enslaved people to attack Confederate troops.