. Explain what the Union army did to complete Step 3 of the Anaconda Plan from 1864 to 1865.Step 3:

Overview of Step 3 of the Anaconda Plan

The Anaconda Plan was a strategy devised by the Union during the American Civil War with the goal of defeating the Confederacy. Step 3 involved the implementation of a combination of military strategies to complete the blockade of Confederate ports and control of the Mississippi River.

Actions Taken by the Union Army (1864-1865)

1. Continued Blockade Enforcement

   • The Union Navy expanded its blockade efforts along the Southern coastline. This included patrolling and capturing blockade runners, which were ships attempting to break the blockade to deliver supplies to the Confederacy.
   • The effectiveness of the blockade increased due to advancements in naval technology and the number of ships available to enforce it.

2. Capture of Key Cities

   • Key Confederate strongholds, such as Mobile, Alabama, were targeted for capture.
   • In April 1864, Union forces successfully captured Mobile Bay, significantly reducing the Confederacy's ability to trade through this vital port.

3. Control of the Mississippi River

   • The Union aimed to gain control over all of the Mississippi River to split the Confederacy geographically.
   • The culmination of these efforts was the Siege of Vicksburg, which the Union completed earlier in 1863, but ongoing operations in 1864 and into 1865 ensured that the river was firmly in Union hands.

4. Coordination with Ground Forces

   • General Ulysses S. Grant oversaw operations that coordinated Union armies, including the Army of the Potomac and Sherman's forces in the West, to implement a unified strategy against the Confederacy.
   • This included major campaigns and battles that helped to grind down Confederate forces and resources.

Conclusion

From 1864 to 1865, the Union army successfully completed Step 3 of the Anaconda Plan through strict blockade enforcement, capturing strategic locations, and ensuring complete control over the Mississippi River, which played a critical role in weakening the Confederate war effort.

Summary

The Union's strategic combination of naval blockades and ground military campaigns effectively implemented Step 3, bringing them closer to achieving victory in the Civil War.