The North tried to wear down the Confederate States, bring in border states to them as allies and blockade the South of supplies. Their other strategy was to get south to the Confederate capital of Richmond, VA. Their strategy for the West was to
The Confederates wanted to fight defensively and hoped to get French or English allies to send money, food and supplies.They also hoped the North would get tired of the war and demand an end to the war or at least let the Confederate States go.
