Question

Why was Vicksburg key to the Union's Anaconda Plan?

Answer 1

Vicksburg was the key to controlling the Mississippi River. The encirclement of the Confederacy depended on the control of the Mississippi River.

Explanation:

Anaconda Plan was to encircle the Confederacy and squeeze the Confederacy to death by cutting off all outside trade.

The Union Navy set up a blockade all along the Atlantic Coast to block trade. The Union conquered the gulf ports of New Orleans and Mobile to block trade along the Gulf of Mexico.

The Confederacy still was able to trade through Mexico across the Mississippi River. Vicksburg was the key to controlling the Mississippi River. As long as the South held the fortress of Vicksburg the south retained control of a least part of the River.

When Vicksburg fell the encirclement of the Confederacy envisioned by the Anaconda plan was complete.

The fall of Vicksburg combined with the defeat at Gettysburg sealed the fate of the Confederacy.