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Sherman used total war tactics because it broke down the society of the war, it also destroyed the economy and helped bring the war to and end. Sherman pretty much said, don't mess with the union.

Sherman knew that the soldiers received support and encouragement from the civilians back at home. The Confederates could go on fighting as long as they received food and supplies from those back at home. He wanted to destroy the will to fight for both the soldiers and the civilians. Soldiers did not want to fight if they were worried that their homes would be destroyed or their families were suffering.

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Why did Grant and Sherman wage brutal war on the confederacy?

to protect their families in the north


Why did Sherman's March To The Sea happen?

Because he was worried about his supply-line, and told Grant that he would not be able to pursue the enemy into difficult mountain country, as ordered. Instead he wanted to carry out punitive raids on the Georgia farms and railroads, living off the land as he went. This would wreck the Southern economy and help to starve the Confederate armies in the field. As Sherman carried credibility with Grant, this was eventually approved, and it turned out to be a spectacular success, shortening the war by months at almost nil casualties.


What was the 1864 plan for Union General Sherman's army?

For the 1864 Union campaign, only General Sherman's army was given the explicit goal of cutting Southern rail links. He was to wage a conventional march on Atlanta, and from there cut as many Rebel railway links as possible. Later in 1864, Sherman's plans would be altered.


What did general Sherman do to the south in SHERMAN'S march to sea?

General William Tecumseh Sherman led his infamous "March to the Sea" during the American Civil War, starting in November 1864. His campaign involved a scorched earth strategy, where Union troops marched from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, destroying military targets, infrastructure, and civilian property along the way. The intent was to undermine the Confederate war effort and morale by demonstrating the Union's ability to wage total war and bring the conflict directly to Southern civilians. Sherman's tactics significantly impacted the South's economy and contributed to the eventual Union victory.


What was General Sherman's overarching plan in the South?

In 1864, General Sherman's overarching plan in the South was to wage "total war" in one final, decisive effort in order to bring the South to its knees. By cutting a long, firm line of destruction from Atlanta to the Atlantic, which destroyed industry, cut communications, terrorized the populace, and ruined crops, Sherman's ravaging of the Deep South most certainly hastened the end of the war as a whole.

Related Questions

Why did Sherman grant want to wage total war?

To change the course of the war. Grant and Sherman both believed that it was the strength of the people's will that was keeping the war going.


Why were Grant and Sherman's tactics successful against the confederacy?

Grant was willing to fight hard enough to end the war. Sherman instituted the tactic of destroying an enemy's infrastructure and ability to wage war. Example: Sherman's march to the sea through Atlanta, GA.


Why did Grant and Sherman wage brutal war on the confederacy?

to protect their families in the north


What was total war and why did Sherman use it to help defeat the south?

"Total War" is an act (to my understanding) that kills off the enemies arsenal and resources to stop the enemies from continuing to fight (rebel). Without the resources, the South would have no way to rebel against the Union anymore besides they were already low on resources. General Ulyssis S. Grant believed in total war and he ordered General William Tecumseh Sherman, also a believer in total war, to wage total war against the South. He set out in March 1864 from Tennessee to Georgia. Sherman reached Atlanta, South's main manufacturing and railroad center, on September and he burned the city.


Why did the Sherman and Grant want to wage total war?

To destroy the civilian infrastructure that supported the armies in the field. Sherman's March to the Sea wrecked farms and railroads, helping to starve the enemy troops. It shortened the war by months at almost nil casualties.


Why did Sherman's March To The Sea happen?

Because he was worried about his supply-line, and told Grant that he would not be able to pursue the enemy into difficult mountain country, as ordered. Instead he wanted to carry out punitive raids on the Georgia farms and railroads, living off the land as he went. This would wreck the Southern economy and help to starve the Confederate armies in the field. As Sherman carried credibility with Grant, this was eventually approved, and it turned out to be a spectacular success, shortening the war by months at almost nil casualties.


Who started the concept of total war?

Sherman was the first to wage war on both civilians & military aspects of the nation Sherman was the first to wage war on both civilians & military aspects of the nation Sherman was the first to wage war on both civilians & military aspects of the nation


How did general William T Sherman wage total war against the south during his march to the sea?

By attacking the infrastructure that supported the Confederate armies in the field - the farms and the railroads.


Why did sherman and grant wage total war?

Sherman and Grant waged total war primarily to undermine the Confederacy's capacity and will to fight by targeting not only military forces but also the economic and civilian resources that supported them. This strategy aimed to demoralize the Southern population and hasten the end of the Civil War by demonstrating the futility of continued resistance. Their campaigns, particularly Sherman's March to the Sea, aimed to break the South's spirit and resolve, ultimately contributing to a quicker Union victory.


What was the 1864 plan for Union General Sherman's army?

For the 1864 Union campaign, only General Sherman's army was given the explicit goal of cutting Southern rail links. He was to wage a conventional march on Atlanta, and from there cut as many Rebel railway links as possible. Later in 1864, Sherman's plans would be altered.


How did the union wage total war on the south?

General Sherman was assigned this task by General Grant. This Total War started against mostly helpless farmers in the Shenandoah Valley. There were very few Confederate Troops there but it was a Highway for the Confederate Armies to move. In the late summer of 1864, Sherman and his Army burned about 2000 Civilian homes, 7000 livestock and killed everything in sight. This crippled the Confederates abilities to receive and produce supplies. From the Shenandoah Valley Sherman moved South destroying anything in his path all the way to Atlanta and Savannah Georgia. When his army finally turned back north, it destroyed everything again up until reached N.C. These tactics broke the hearts and minds of the Confederate Civilians and Soldiers.


Was Grant's plan to end the civil war to wage total war and repeatedly attack Lee's army?

Yes- your question contains a fair summary of Grant's strategy, I think.