March to the Sea

Definition

The March to the Sea, led by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman during the American Civil War, refers to the military campaign that took place in late 1864, where Sherman and his troops marched from Atlanta, Georgia, to the coastal city of Savannah. This campaign was aimed at crippling the Confederate war effort by destroying infrastructure, supplies, and morale while demonstrating the Union's power and resolve. Sherman's strategy of total war sought not just to defeat enemy forces but to demoralize Southern civilians and undermine their support for the Confederacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The March to the Sea began on November 15, 1864, and lasted until December 21, 1864, covering approximately 300 miles in total.
2. Sherman's troops employed tactics such as foraging and destroying crops, railroads, and factories, leaving a path of destruction that significantly disrupted the Southern economy.
3. The campaign was not just about military objectives; it also aimed to break the will of the Southern people by showcasing the Union's ability to strike deep into Confederate territory.
4. Sherman's capture of Savannah on December 21, 1864, provided a significant boost to Northern morale and further demonstrated the Union's dominance in the Civil War.
5. The March to the Sea is often viewed as a turning point in the Civil War, showcasing the effectiveness of total war tactics and influencing subsequent military strategies.

Review Questions

• How did Sherman's March to the Sea reflect the principles of total war?
  • Sherman's March to the Sea embodied total war by targeting not just Confederate armies but also civilian infrastructure and resources that supported the war effort. This approach aimed to demoralize Southern civilians and weaken their resolve to continue fighting. By destroying railroads, supplies, and farms along the way, Sherman's campaign sought to cripple the South's economic capacity and undermine support for the Confederate cause.
• Analyze how the Atlanta Campaign set the stage for Sherman's March to the Sea.
  • The Atlanta Campaign was crucial in setting up Sherman's March to the Sea as it resulted in a significant Union victory with the capture of Atlanta in September 1864. This victory not only bolstered Northern morale but also provided Sherman with a critical logistical base from which to launch his march. The success at Atlanta demonstrated Union military superiority and paved the way for Sherman's strategy of deep penetration into Southern territory during his subsequent march.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of Sherman's March to the Sea on both military strategy and civilian life in the South.
  • Sherman's March to the Sea had profound long-term impacts on military strategy by popularizing total war as a viable tactic for achieving rapid victories in conflict. This shift influenced future military leaders who adopted similar strategies. For civilians in the South, Sherman's campaign brought devastation that disrupted lives and economies, fostering resentment but also contributing to a shift in perceptions about warfare and its consequences. The psychological impact of such total war tactics reshaped how future conflicts were approached regarding civilian involvement and strategic objectives.

Related terms

Total War:

A military strategy that involves waging war on all aspects of the enemy's society, including civilian infrastructure and resources, to bring about a swift and decisive victory.

Atlanta Campaign: A series of battles fought in mid-1864 around Atlanta, Georgia, culminating in its capture by Union forces under Sherman, which set the stage for the March to the Sea.

Sherman's Neckties: A term referring to the twisted railroad tracks created by Union soldiers during Sherman's campaign, symbolizing the destruction of Confederate supply lines.