Explain what the Union navy and army did to maintain or make progress on Steps 1 and 2 of the Anaconda Plan from 1862 to 1863.Step 1:Step 2:

Step 1: The Union navy focused on blockading the Confederate coastline to prevent the South from trading with other countries. This blockade was crucial in cutting off supplies, weapons, and reinforcements that the Confederacy needed to sustain its war effort. From 1862 to 1863, the Union navy expanded its blockade, capturing key ports and coastal areas. For example, the capture of New Orleans in April 1862 by Admiral David Farragut was a significant achievement, as it was one of the largest and most important ports in the Confederacy. The Union navy also targeted smaller ports and river mouths to tighten the blockade further.

Step 2: The Union army aimed to gain control of the Mississippi River, which would split the Confederacy in two and disrupt their internal communications and supply lines. In 1862, Union forces, under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant, began a series of campaigns to capture key points along the river. The capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in early 1862 opened the way for Union forces to advance into Tennessee. The significant victory at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862 further solidified Union control in the region. The culmination of these efforts was the Siege of Vicksburg, which lasted from May to July 1863. The fall of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, gave the Union complete control of the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy and achieving a major objective of the Anaconda Plan.