The South relied on two "secret powers" to help them during the Civil War until January 1, 1863. They had been counting on Britain and France to aid them during the war since their supply of cotton had been disrupted by the Union blockades. They hoped that by getting European countries to aid the South that the North might end the war. The South's strategy needed to involve defensive maneuvers in order to win the war. Their strategy was to keep as much land as possible. Last, they had one plan that did not involve defending and that was to attack Washington D.C.