Strategy and Doctrine
Naval Blockade
Modern, United States
Citation Formats
General Reference
APA Style
BibTeX
Naval blockade is the use of naval forces to seal an enemy's ports and coastline, cutting off trade, supply and reinforcement so as to strangle its war-making capacity without engaging its army directly. The tactic is ancient, used in conflicts including the Peloponnesian War, but one of its most extensively documented executions is the Union's blockade of the Confederacy in the American Civil War from 1861, known as the Anaconda Plan, which combined with land operations to cut the Confederacy off from overseas trade over the following four years. Naval blockade was also central to twentieth-century conflicts, including the Allied blockade of Germany in the First World War and the German U-boat campaign against Allied shipping.
Facts
Core ClaimUse naval forces to seal an enemy's ports and coastline, cutting off trade, supply and reinforcement, so as to strangle its war-making capacity without engaging its army directly. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Anaconda Plan?
The popular name for the Union's 1861 naval blockade of the Confederacy, sealing its ports to cut off trade and supply.
The Anaconda Plan was the popular name for the Union's naval blockade of the Confederacy in the American Civil War, beginning in 1861: sealing Confederate ports to cut off trade, supply and reinforcement rather than engaging the Confederate army directly. The Union blockade was a major factor in the war's outcome over the following four years.
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.