Battle of Atlanta

Definition

The Battle of Atlanta was a significant military engagement fought during the American Civil War from July 22 to September 2, 1864, marking a crucial victory for Union forces led by General William Tecumseh Sherman against Confederate troops commanded by General John B. Hood. This battle was essential in securing Union control over the strategic city of Atlanta, which served as a vital transportation hub and supply center for the Confederacy. The Union's success in Atlanta set the stage for Sherman's infamous March to the Sea, impacting the course of the war and morale in both the North and South.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Battle of Atlanta was a part of the larger Atlanta Campaign aimed at capturing the city from Confederate control.
2. The Union victory at the Battle of Atlanta boosted Northern morale and helped secure President Abraham Lincoln's re-election in November 1864.
3. The battle was marked by fierce fighting, including significant engagements such as the Battle of Peachtree Creek and the Battle of Ezra Church.
4. After capturing Atlanta, Sherman began his March to the Sea, where he aimed to destroy Southern resources and weaken Confederate resolve.
5. The fall of Atlanta is often seen as a turning point in the Civil War, as it significantly diminished Confederate supply lines and troop morale.

Review Questions

• How did the outcome of the Battle of Atlanta influence public sentiment in the North regarding the Civil War?
  • The outcome of the Battle of Atlanta had a profound impact on public sentiment in the North. The Union's decisive victory not only secured a key strategic city but also bolstered morale among Northern citizens who were weary from years of conflict. This newfound optimism contributed significantly to President Lincoln's re-election campaign in November 1864, as many voters saw the victory as a sign that Union forces were making progress in ending the war.
• Discuss how General Sherman's tactics during the Battle of Atlanta foreshadowed his strategy in Sherman's March to the Sea.
  • General Sherman's tactics during the Battle of Atlanta foreshadowed his later strategy in Sherman's March to the Sea by emphasizing total war principles. In Atlanta, Sherman employed aggressive maneuvers to outflank and weaken Confederate forces, showcasing his commitment to not only defeat enemy soldiers but also disrupt their supply lines and morale. This approach would carry over into his subsequent campaign, where he sought to devastate Georgia's resources and infrastructure, demonstrating a relentless strategy aimed at hastening the end of the war.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Battle of Atlanta on both military strategies and civilian life in the South during and after the Civil War.
  • The long-term effects of the Battle of Atlanta were significant for both military strategies and civilian life in the South. Militarily, it marked a shift towards more aggressive tactics such as total war that would be employed by Union generals in subsequent campaigns. For civilians, the fall of Atlanta meant a loss of a critical supply hub, leading to shortages and hardships for Southern families. The destruction that followed Sherman's March deeply affected Southern infrastructure and economies, leaving lasting scars that would take decades to heal as they rebuilt from both physical devastation and psychological trauma.

Related terms

Sherman's March to the Sea: A military campaign led by General William Tecumseh Sherman from November to December 1864, where Union troops marched from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, employing total war tactics to destroy Confederate resources and infrastructure.

Total War:

A strategy of warfare that involves not just defeating enemy armies but also targeting civilian infrastructure and resources, aimed at undermining the enemy's will to fight.

General William Tecumseh Sherman: A Union general known for his military strategies during the Civil War, especially his use of total war tactics during Sherman's March to the Sea, which aimed at crippling the Confederacy economically and psychologically.