Question

1. Why did the Union see the capture of New Orleans and the Mississippi River as vital to Union victory?

Answer 1

1. The union saw the capture of New Orleans and Mississippi River as vital to the union victory because one of the more important ports for the south was cut off by union seizing or taking over New Orleans. This made it very easy for the union navy to seize southern cities. The Mississippi River allowed the union to split the confederacy in two and at that point the union was in control of a very important route that got men and supplies through.
2. Naval action helped the union capture New Orleans. The confederate was destroyed and split by farragut who ran his ships past the confederate.
3. The confederate soldiers surrendered at port Hudson because Vicksburg surrendered and without them they had no upriver counterpart. They could no longer fight and had no defense. These are important events because it lead to the union winning since fort Hudson was the last confederate bastion on the Mississippi.
4. African Americans made up about 10% of the union army and it got them a few rights. For example the emancipation proclamation.

Hope this helped Xx :)