Question

question 20 of 20

a key part of general grants overall plan to end the war was to:

a. enlist the aid of foreign governments to help with the war.
b. negotiate with the confederacy until they surrendered.
c. weaken the confederacy and destroy their will to fight.
d. use new weapons to defeat the confederate army.

Explanation:

Analyze Grant's military strategy

Upon becoming General-in-Chief of all Union armies in 1864, General Ulysses S. Grant designed a coordinated strategy of simultaneous movement across multiple theaters. His primary objective was to apply relentless pressure on all fronts to prevent Confederate armies from reinforcing one another, thereby grinding down their resources, manpower, and infrastructure.

Evaluate the options

• A is incorrect because the Union did not seek foreign military alliances to win the war; rather, Union diplomacy focused on preventing European powers from recognizing or aiding the Confederacy.
• B is incorrect because Grant pursued a policy of unconditional surrender and total military defeat of the Confederate forces, rather than diplomatic negotiations.
• C is correct because Grant's strategy of attrition and total war (carried out by himself in Virginia and Sherman in the Deep South) aimed to systematically destroy the Confederacy's economic resources, armies, and civilian will to continue the conflict.
• D is incorrect because, while technological innovations occurred, Grant's overall strategic plan relied on coordinated pressure, superior numbers, and resource attrition rather than a reliance on novel weaponry.

Answer:

• (A) enlist the aid of foreign governments to help with the war
• (B) negotiate with the Confederacy until they surrendered
• (C) weaken the Confederacy and destroy their will to fight (Correct answer)
• (D) use new weapons to defeat the Confederate army