Civil War Blockade and Strategy

In early 1861, General Winfield Scott devised the Anaconda Plan to blockade the Confederacy and force its surrender with minimal bloodshed. President Lincoln adopted parts of this plan, announcing a blockade of Southern ports in April 1861. The South's decision to embargo cotton exports backfired, as the blockade became effective, crippling their economy. The Confederacy, short on military supplies, turned to foreign sources for arms, relying on British companies. Blockade runners were used to smuggle arms in exchange for cotton, but many were captured by the Union Navy.

What was the primary goal of General Winfield Scott's Anaconda Plan?

• To recruit more soldiers for the Union

• To invade the Confederate capital directly

• To blockade the Confederacy and force a surrender

• To negotiate peace with the Confederacy

How did Lincoln's approach to the Civil War differ from the Anaconda Plan?

• He focused solely on naval battles

• He adopted a more passive strategy

• He pursued a more active vision of war

• He ignored the blockade strategy entirely

What was the effect of the South's decision to embargo cotton exports in 1861?

• It led to increased cotton exports

• It boosted the Southern economy

• It had no impact on the Southern economy

• It resulted in a significant reduction in cotton exports

Which major Confederate seaports were affected by the Union blockade?

• Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville

• Houston, Dallas, and Austin

• Savannah, Atlanta, and Richmond

• New Orleans, Mobile, and Charleston

By June 1861, how many ships were stationed off the principal Southern ports?

• 200 ships

• Nearly 300 ships

• 100 ships

• 50 ships

Why did the Confederacy turn to foreign sources for military supplies?

• They wanted to support British manufacturers

• The South had an abundance of arms

• The agrarian South could not provide the needed arms

• The North was supplying them with arms

What role did British investors play in supporting the Confederacy?

• They built fast blockade runners to trade arms for cotton

• They negotiated peace treaties with the Union

• They provided financial aid directly to the Confederate government

• They sent troops to fight for the Confederacy

What happened to the ships and cargo of captured blockade runners?

• They were sold as prizes of war

• They were returned to the Confederacy

• They were destroyed at sea

• They were used by the Confederate Navy

What was the fate of the captured crewmen from blockade runners?

• They were released

• They were executed

• They were imprisoned for life

• They were sent to work camps

What was a characteristic feature of the blockade runners?

• They were used for passenger transport

• They were lightweight and fast

• They were large and slow

• They were heavily armed