Propaganda Maps
"Although propaganda maps are better known from their use during World Wars I and II, an
occasional map of this type was published during the Civil War. Such works are designed to
have a maximum psychological impact on the user of the map. The commercial publisher J. B.
Elliott of Cincinnati published a cartoon map in 1861 entitled "Scott's Great Snake" which
pictorially illustrates Gen. Winfield Scott's plan to crush the South both economically and
militarily. His plan called for a strong blockade of the Southern ports and a major offensive
down the Mississippi River to divide the South. The press ridiculed this as the "Anaconda Plan,"
as shown on this map, but this general scheme contributed greatly to the Northern." Library of
Congress, History of Mapping the Civil War, Propaganda Maps.
Information found at http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/civil_war_maps/cwmcm.html
About the image:
Scott's great snake. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1861 by J.B. Elliott of
Cincinnati.
Elliott. J.B. CREATED/PUBLISHED [S.I.] 1861.
Cartoon map illustrating General Winfield's Scott's plan to crush the Confederacy, economically.
It is sometimes called the "Anaconda plan."