Please read the passage and help answer the question. War between America and Britian had been raging since 1812, but it was only with the recent defeat of Napoleon that the British Empire could unleash the full force of its military might to squash its former colonies. British strategy focused on capturing the port of New Olreans. Its capture would give them control of the Mississippi River and sever America's vital commerce route to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.
According to the source, why did England want to control New Orleans?
A. It would allow them to cut off American trade and control the Mississippi River.
B. It would give them control over Louisiana's sugar market.
C. It would give them a base of operations from which they could attack Texas and Mexico.
D. It would make it easier for them to bring exports out of Canada.