During the American Civil War, which was fought from 1861 to 1865, the Mississippi River played a vital role in both the Union’s and Confederacy’s strategies. The river connected most of the battles to one another, and was also crucial for transportation and supply. The Union army mainly used the Mississippi as a way to gain access to the Deep South. Its war strategy involved bringing large forces down the river to capture Confederate strongholds along the banks.
The Union’s strategy of targeting river ports and strategically placed cities was successful, as it was able to control the Southern states along the Mississippi and move supplies further down the river. The Union blockade of the Mississippi and its tributaries, including the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, were even more effective than the Western campaign. This made it almost impossible for Confederate forces to move the supplies required for the war effort or to receive prisoners of war.
Before the beginning of the Civil War, the Mississippi River presented Confederate forces with much of their strength. With the river open to Confederate commerce, it was able to secure cotton exports and trade with Europe for supplies, money and men. But when the Union’s Mississippi Squadron blockaded the river in 1862, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston was forced to divert his attention to saving the Valley of the Mississippi. After a series of battles, the Union captured the strategically important city of Vicksburg in 1863, relieving the blockade.
The Union’s success in this campaign is generally seen as one of the biggest turning points of the entire war. By shutting off the Confederacy’s access to the Mississippi and splitting the Confederacy into two parts, the Union effectively cut off its supply routes and shortened the war. The Union was also able to take control of the entire Western part of the Confederacy, which it had been unable to do before.
By the end of 1863, the Union army had taken control of all Confederate-held posts along the Mississippi River. Many historians believe that this was one of the major factors that led to the Confederacy’s eventual surrender in April of 1865. Had the Union forces been unsuccessful at controlling the river, the Confederacy would have been able to move supplies and men freely and the war may have gone on even longer.
Bank Battles
The control of the Mississippi was essential for the Union’s strategies, but it was not always easy for them to maintain control. One of the most crucial battles for the Union’s control of the river was the Battle of Fort Henry, which took place in February of 1862. The Union was able to successfully capture Fort Henry, located on the Tennessee River, and this victory gave the Union control over the upper part of the Mississippi.
The Union followed this success with the capture of Fort Donelson, located on the Cumberland River. Along with the capture of the strategic naval base at Island Ten, the Union was able to gain control of almost the entire upper part of the Mississippi River. This allowed the Union to move supplies and men down the river and pose an even greater threat to the Confederacy.
But the Union’s efforts to gain control of the lower part of the river were not as successful. Confederate forces had fortified the city of Vicksburg and were able to put up a major defense against the Union forces. After months of trying to take control of the city with no success, the Union decided to lay siege to the city in May of 1863. This siege lasted for 6 weeks before the city finally surrendered to Union forces, giving them control over the entire lower part of the river.
Impact on Slavery
The Mississippi was also important for another reason: it was a major corridor for the slave trade. Before the Civil War, the river was used as a way to transport slaves from the Deep South to the Northern states. When the Union gained control of the Mississippi, it was able to prevent the Confederate government from using it to transport slaves to the Northern states and help preserve the Union.
Slaveholders in the Deep South were even more dismayed when the Union made the announcement that slaves who escaped from Confederate states would be freed. This announcement, known as the “Emancipation Proclamation”, had a major impact on the slave trade on the Mississippi as many slaves used the river to escape across to Union lines.
The protection of slaves by the Union forces was also a major discouragement to Confederate forces. The presence of Union soldiers along the banks of the Mississippi was seen as an incentive for the Confederacy to surrender, as it removed any chance that they would be able to continue with the trade of slaves. This, combined with the Union’s successful efforts to shut off supply lines to Confederate states, is seen by many as one of the primary reasons for the quick end to the war.
Threat of Interference
The wealth of resources and strategic importance of the Mississippi was not lost on European nations. As the Civil War progressed, France and Great Britain had continued to express interest in assisting the Confederacy due to its large exports of cotton and other goods. With the Union’s control of the Mississippi, the danger of European interference in the war was removed.
The Union’s blockade of the Mississippi made it almost impossible for foreign ships to access Southern ports, making interference from European nations incredibly difficult. The Union was also able to prevent Confederate governments from trading with Europe and receiving supplies, further ensuring that the Confederacy would not receive any assistance from outside sources.
This, combined with the Union’s success in capturing strategic cities, such as Vicksburg, meant that the Union was able to gain control over the entirety of the Mississippi and the Confederacy was unable to get any support from European powers. This was seen as a major turning point in the war.
Economic and Social Factors
The Union’s control of the Mississippi was not just a military victory—it had major economic and social implications as well. As the Union gained control of the river, it was able to impose taxes on goods moving up and down the river and cut off Confederate trading with Europe. This resulted in a major decrease in the Confederate economy and an increase in the Union’s.
The economic strain on the Confederacy was particularly evident in the Confederacy’s reliance on the Mississippi. The Confederacy’s main source of income had been the selling of cotton, and with the Union in control of the river, this was no longer possible. This decrease in revenue resulted in more debt and further weakened the Confederate economy, furthering the Union’s victory.
The Union’s victory also had major implications on Southern society. The Union was able to continuously weaken the Confederacy’s hold on its own citizens and take control of more and more of the Southern states. This had a major effect on the Confederacy’s status and eventually led to its surrender in April of 1865.
Role in Modern History
The Mississippi has played a vital role in history and that role has continued into the present day. While the Union’s victory in capturing control of the river helped to end the Civil War, it was also a pivotal moment for Union-Confederate relations. In addition to allowing the Union to economically dominate the South, it also opened up the possibility of social reform and greater racial equality.
Today, the Mississippi River is still a major economic artery of the United States and is home to many of the nation’s shipping and transportation routes. Its role in the Civil War continues to be remembered in cities along its banks and its importance to the United States’ history is still evident today.
Political Implications
The victory of the Union forces in taking control of the Mississippi had immense political implications for the country. The Union was able to forget the war and turn its attention to the rebuilding of the country. This allowed the country to begin the process of Reconstruction, during which the newly formed states formed their governments and wrote their constitutions.
The Reconstruction process also allowed for greater racial integration in the Southern states. By allowing former slaves to become citizens, the Union was able to promote greater racial equality in the South. This had a significant impact on the future of the country, as it helped to shape an improved relationship between the North and the South.
The Mississippi River’s importance in the Civil War established its importance in the United States’s history. Not only did it provide a major route for Union forces to gain access to the Deep South, but also it provided a crucial victory for the Union and helped to ensure victory in the war. The Union’s victory over the Confederacy was of major importance in both the economic and social arenas, and the Mississippi River played a major role in both.
Legacy
The Mississippi River’s importance in the Civil War did not end in 1865. Its role in the Union’s victory was a major turning point in American history and its legacy still carries on today. The river can still be seen as a crucial economic artery for states along its banks, as well as a major source of trade and commerce for the nation.
The legacy of the Union’s victory on the river also extends to the social and political arena. Its victory was an important step in bringing greater racial equality to the United States, and its impact on the Confederacy’s surrender was a major factor in the reunification of the nation.
The Mississippi River’s role in the Civil War is a major part of the United States’ history, and its legacy continues to this day. Its importance at that point in history is commemorated in stories and monuments, and its achievements in the face of the Confederacy should never be forgotten.
