What military strategy named after a large snake required a naval blockade and thrust down the Mississippi River at the start of the Civil War?

The Anaconda Plan was a strategic military approach devised by Union General Winfield Scott during the early stages of the American Civil War. The plan aimed to suffocate the Southern economy, much like an anaconda snake would constrict its prey. It involved two primary components: a naval blockade of Confederate ports to cut off trade and supplies, and a thrust down the Mississippi River to split the Confederacy in two. This would isolate the southern states and cripple their ability to maintain the war effort.

The significance of the Anaconda Plan lies in its focus on a long-term strategy rather than immediate, aggressive confrontation, which was pivotal for the Union's overall military strategy. The naval blockade would severely limit resources flowing into the Confederacy, while control of the Mississippi River would disrupt internal supply routes and communications. The use of the term "Anaconda" reflects the intention of the Union to slowly squeeze the resources and resolve of the Confederacy, ultimately leading to its defeat.

Understanding this context highlights why this plan was central to the Union's approach at the beginning of the Civil War and clarifies its distinguishing features compared to other military strategies, such as those implied in the other options like the Corinth Plan, Unified Plan, or Separation Strategy, which do not capture