"See what a lot of land these fellows hold, of which Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket."
President Abraham Lincoln, 1863

What did President Abraham Lincoln mean when he said, "
Vicksburg is the key?

A) A quick and decisive victory at Vicksburg would be a swift and certain end
to the war

B) That taking Vicksburg would require careful planning and the Union had
only one shot at success.

C) Taking Vicksburg would split the Confederacy in two and cut off a vital
supply route as well as opening the river to Northern traffic.

D) A victory at Vicksburg would change the trajectory of the war from land-
based fighting to naval fighting and the Union was most successful in
naval battles.