Sherman’s March

Definition

Sherman's March, officially known as the Savannah Campaign, was a military campaign led by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman during the American Civil War from November 15 to December 21, 1864. It involved a destructive march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, aiming to cripple the Confederacy's war effort by destroying its resources and infrastructure. This strategy of total war sought not only to defeat Confederate armies but also to demoralize Southern civilians and diminish their support for the war.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sherman's March covered approximately 300 miles in just over a month, with troops marching through Georgia while living off the land and destroying supplies.
2. The campaign significantly impacted the Confederate economy by targeting railroads, plantations, and other infrastructure that supported the war effort.
3. Sherman's tactics were controversial and sparked debates over the ethics of total war, particularly concerning the treatment of Southern civilians.
4. The march culminated in the capture of Savannah on December 21, 1864, which provided a significant morale boost for the Union and helped secure Lincoln's re-election.
5. Sherman's approach set a precedent for future military strategies that focused on weakening the enemy's resolve through psychological warfare and economic destruction.

Review Questions

• How did Sherman's March exemplify the concept of total war in the context of the Civil War?
  • Sherman's March is a prime example of total war because it targeted not just Confederate armies but also civilian resources and infrastructure. By destroying railroads, warehouses, and plantations, Sherman aimed to break the South's will to fight and diminish its capacity to sustain war efforts. This approach was designed to create fear and despair among Southern civilians, thus undermining their support for the Confederate cause.
• What were some of the key outcomes of Sherman's March for both the Union and the Confederacy?
  • The key outcomes of Sherman's March included significant destruction of Southern infrastructure, which crippled supply lines and reduced resources available to Confederate forces. For the Union, capturing Savannah boosted morale and demonstrated military effectiveness, contributing to President Lincoln's re-election. Additionally, the campaign reinforced the Union's strategy of total war and showcased Sherman's reputation as a ruthless but effective military leader.
• Evaluate how Sherman's March influenced subsequent military strategies in American warfare.
  • Sherman's March had a profound influence on subsequent military strategies by demonstrating the effectiveness of total war principles that target both military objectives and civilian morale. The campaign illustrated how destruction of infrastructure could lead to quicker victories by destabilizing enemy support systems. This approach was later reflected in various conflicts throughout American history, influencing tactics during World War I and II where similar strategies were employed against enemy resources and civilian populations to achieve rapid results.

Related terms

Total War:

A military strategy that involves not only engaging enemy combatants but also targeting civilian infrastructure and resources to undermine the opponent's morale and ability to sustain war efforts.

Atlanta Campaign: A series of battles fought in the summer of 1864 that resulted in the Union capture of Atlanta, which set the stage for Sherman's subsequent march to Savannah.

War of Attrition: A military strategy aimed at wearing down an enemy through continuous losses in personnel and material, often resulting in significant destruction and hardship for both sides.