why would the union focus on blockading the port of savannah during civil war
During the Civil War, the Union focus on blockading the port of Savannah served several strategic purposes:
1. Economic Impact: Savannah was a crucial Confederate port and served as a vital lifeline for the Confederate Army. By blockading the port, the Union aimed to disrupt the flow of supplies and resources to the Confederacy, significantly weakening their ability to wage war. Cutting off this port would hinder the delivery of essential goods such as munitions, food, and clothing, thereby reducing the Confederate forces' overall strength.
2. Isolation: Savannah's location on the Georgia coast made it an ideal target for Union blockades. The Union intended to isolate and cut off Confederate-held regions from the outside world, effectively trapping them and limiting their ability to receive reinforcements or supplies. By focusing on Savannah, the Union hoped to blockade a crucial access point and control the movement of ships in and out of the region.
3. Symbolic Importance: Savannah was an important Confederate city and held significant symbolic value in the Confederacy. Capturing or blockading such a prominent city would serve as a psychological blow to the Confederacy and boost Union morale. It would also demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of the Union Navy's blockade strategy.
4. Expanding the Anaconda Plan: The Union's overall strategy during the Civil War, known as the Anaconda Plan, aimed to suffocate the Confederacy by controlling its ports and cutting off its trade routes. Blockading Savannah was consistent with this plan, as it aimed to tighten the Union's grip over Confederate ports and further limit their ability to trade and receive supplies.
In summary, blockading the port of Savannah during the Civil War allowed the Union to cripple Confederate supply lines, isolate Confederate-held regions, impact the Confederate economy, and deliver a symbolic blow to the Confederacy's morale.