What was the overarching goal of the Anaconda Plan during the Civil War?

The Anaconda Plan was designed as a strategy for the Union to weaken the Confederacy during the Civil War. Its overarching goal was to economically strangle the South by blockading its ports and controlling the Mississippi River. By doing so, the Union aimed to cut off the South's access to vital supplies and trade routes, which would severely limit its ability to sustain the war effort. This strategy focused on attrition and the gradual collapse of Confederate resources instead of engaging in large-scale, decisive battles.

The plan symbolically referred to the way a snake constricts its prey, highlighting the idea of encircling and suffocating the enemy's ability to fight back. This economic blockade was intended to diminish morale in the South, disrupt supply lines, and ultimately compel the Confederacy to surrender due to lack of resources.