12. why was control of the mississippi river an important goal of the union strategy in the west?
a. the mississippi river was key to connecting union forces in the north, to forces in the south
b. union army could use the mississippi river for the transport of its troops inot confederate territory
c. confederacy could no longer use the mississippi river to carry its goods to sea or use it to supply troops
d. confederacy would not be able to split union forces if they lost control of the river
c. Confederacy could no longer use the Mississippi River to carry its goods to sea or use it to supply troops.
The Mississippi River was a major transportation route for goods and troops during the Civil War. Control of the river was vital for the Union's Western Campaign because it would cut off the Confederacy from important commercial outlets, severely limiting their ability to move supplies and troops. This control also allowed the Union to move its own troops and supplies easily along the river, making it a critical aspect of their overall military strategy.