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Abraham Lincoln: Strategist Of Union Victory, Rolando Avila

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Military strategy can be divided into two major categories. First, national strategy which shapes and defines a nation's political goals. Second, operational strategy which is the instrument for achieving those goals. Most studies of Abraham Lincoln's military strategy during the American Civil War are too narrow in focus, because they mainly look at operational strategy. But operational strategy can not be truly understood or judged unless there is a firm understanding of national strategy, for which operational strategy is a mere tool. As a national strategist, Lincoln was largely responsible for Union victory.