Discuss the military strategy of the North from 1861 to the end of 1862. How successful was this strategy - Essay Example

Military Strategy of the North from 1861 to the End of 1862 Discuss the military strategy of the North from 1861 to the end of 1862. How successful was this strategy?The military strategy of the North from 1861 until the end of 1862 was executed pretty well. In 1861, the North focused mainly on seizing the river of Mississippi and blockading Southern ports (Martin, 2003). Since its navy was meager it concentrated more on areas of rendezvous and trade. In order to seize Mississippi, the North invaded vital areas in the South such as Vicksburg and New Orleans.

Bradford (2010) observes that this was critical because the North areas that were connected to the Mississippi had their core economic route on their way back. The North also applied the strategy of engaging the main Southern forces. Even though this strategy led to numerous casualties, it was instrumental in grounding the Southern forces. The North strategy was good to an extent that it diminished any possibility of foreign intervention, particularly from the Great Britain (Bradford, 2010). Finally, it is important to look at how successful the North strategy was.

To a greater extent, historians and military strategists agree that the strategy applied by the North from 1861 to the end of 1862 was successful. Martin (2003) argues that this view is informed by the outcomes of the strategy. It is considered successful because it made the Southerners to lose morale because they were constantly exhausting their efforts by being prepared to fight without actually doing so. This strategy saw the North destroying vital transportation routes of the Southerners, a strategy that was effective in ensuring that they won the war (Bradford, 2010).

ReferencesBradford, J. C. (2010). A companion to American military history. Chichester, U.K: Wiley-Blackwell Pub.Martin, D. G. (2003). Jacksons Valley campaign: November 1861-June 1862. Cambridge, Mass: Da Capo Press.