Did the confederacy want to win independence or to conquer the north?

The Confederacy primarily sought independence from the Union, aiming to establish itself as a separate nation that could maintain its social and economic systems, particularly slavery. While there were ambitions to conquer the North and bring it under Confederate control, these were secondary to the main goal of securing sovereignty. The desire for independence was rooted in states' rights and the preservation of their way of life. Ultimately, the Confederacy's military strategies reflected a defensive posture, aiming to protect its territory rather than an outright campaign for conquest.