Ch 15: Military Strategies in the American Civil War
About This Chapter
Military Strategies in the American Civil War - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
The development of strategies during the Civil War was crucial for both sides. The following lessons will discuss these strategies and the influential figures that carried out the important decisions. Instructors use engaging video lessons to teach you the political landscape during the war. Quizzes are also offered throughout this chapter to ensure that you understand the topics covered. This chapter includes information on:
- How politics were handled domestically and internationally during the Civil War
- What the war strategies of both the North and the South were and how they were important to war efforts
- How the last 100 days of the war were significant
- The political climate during the key year of 1864
Video | Objective |
---|---|
The Politics of War: Legislation & Executive Actions | Compare the laws of both the U.S. and Confederate governments during the time and how they were used to support the war efforts. |
Britain and France Respond to the American Civil War | Survey the international response to the American Civil War. |
The Anaconda Plan: Civil War Strategy | Assess General Winfield Scott's strategy to strangle the Confederacy. |
The Blockade and Blockade Runners During the Civil War: Definition & Purpose | Dissect the Union blockade, its impact on the South and discover the blockade runners who attempted to cross the blockade. |
General Ulysses S. Grant Takes Charge: His Strategic Plan for Ending the War | Summarize how Ulysses S. Grant climbed the ranks and how he planned to end the war. |
Robert E. Lee's Civil War Strategy | Outline the strategies of General Robert E. Lee and how his decisions impacted the war. |
The Politics of 1864: President Abraham Lincoln is Re-Elected | Analyze the turbulent politics of 1864 and the election of that year. |
The Last 100 Days of the Civil War: Goals & Actions | Consider the events that took place in the last days of the Civil War. |
Comparing Union & Confederate Civil War Strategies | Explain the major strategies and decisions of each side and how they impacted the outcome of the war. |

1. The Politics of War: Legislation & Executive Actions
This lesson will explore the laws and executive actions the U.S. and Confederate governments used to support the war effort. We will also discuss the prisoner exchange system and the political opposition to the war on both sides.

2. Britain and France Respond to the American Civil War
The American Civil War had international ramifications. Great Britain and France were two world powers who each had to decide on how they would react to the conflict.

3. The Anaconda Plan: Civil War Strategy
The Anaconda Plan was a strategy created by Union General Winfield Scott in 1861, early on in the Civil War. It called for strangling the Southern Confederacy, much like an Anaconda. It was never officially adopted by the Union government.

4. The Blockade and Blockade Runners During the Civil War: Definition & Purpose
Starting in 1861, the Union blockade was meant to stop Southern commerce and hurt the Confederacy during the Civil War. In response, Confederate blockade runners worked to bring much needed supplies to the struggling Confederacy. Learn about the blockade and blockade runners in this lesson.

5. General Ulysses S. Grant Takes Charge: His Strategic Plan for Ending the War
In this lesson, we will learn about the promotion of Union General Ulysses S. Grant to the prestigious rank of Lieutenant General. We will also study Grant's plan to end the Civil War.

6. Robert E. Lee's Civil War Strategy
Many people know Robert E. Lee for his leadership during the Civil War, however few are truly familiar with his distinct military strategy. This lesson explores Lee's Civil War strategy.

7. The Politics of 1864: President Abraham Lincoln is Re-Elected
In this lesson, we will explore the turbulent political landscape of 1864, focusing especially on that year's presidential campaign that pitted incumbent Abraham Lincoln against General George McClellan.

8. The Last 100 Days of the Civil War: Goals & Actions
As the new year of 1865 dawned, the North and South had been at war for nearly four years, but the last days of the Civil War were fast approaching. In this lesson, we will explore some of the events of those last days.

9. Comparing Union & Confederate Civil War Strategies
Learn about the different strategies that the Union and the Confederacy used during the American Civil War, and how those strategies reflected their political goals.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the History 306: The American Civil War Era course
- Understanding History & Primary Sources
- Slavery in the Early United States
- The Abolitionist Movement in America
- The Pre-Civil War Sectional Crisis in the U.S.
- Influential American Civil War Writers
- Rising Tensions in Pre-Civil War America
- Southern Secession from the Union
- Politics, Industry & Economy in Civil War America
- American Civil War Battles in 1861
- American Civil War Battles in 1862
- American Civil War Battles in 1863
- American Civil War Battles in 1864
- American Civil War Battles in 1865
- Important Figures in the American Civil War
- Life Following the American Civil War
- Reconstruction After the American Civil War
- Required Assignments for History 306
- Studying for History 306