Why were New Orleans and Vicksburg important to the Confederacy and the Union? They were both state capitals. They were both key to controlling the Mississippi River. Whoever controlled them could split the Union in half.

Question

History

Maverick

8 July, 19:30

Why were New Orleans and Vicksburg important to the Confederacy and the Union? They were both state capitals. They were both key to controlling the Mississippi River. Whoever controlled them could split the Union in half.

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Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Sheldon Sparks · Answer 1

The answer is

They were both key to controlling the Mississippi River

Howard Holden · Answer 2

Answer: They were both key to controlling the Mississippi River.

Explanation:

Vicksburg was the Confederate stronghold, in western Mississippi. If Union forces could gain control of the Mississippi River, they could split the Confederacy in two. While the Union navy ran gunboats and transports past the Confederate cannons commanding the river at Vicksburg, Grant moved his army eastward on a campaign that Lincoln later called "one of the most brilliant in the world."Grant decided to wear down the Confederates through constant bombardment and gradual starvation. The Rebels and the city's inhabitants were hopelessly trapped; they could neither escape nor be reinforced or supplied, they surrendered on July 04, after 47 days of siege.