Because Atlanta was an important strategic an logistic objective, whose conquest would be crucial from not only a military but also a political point of view, for the presidential elections were approaching.
That meant that a great victory was essential to raise the morale of the public of the north and to restore the consents towards Lincoln Administration.
Last but not least it was expected that the Confederates would have hardly fought to prevent Atlanta from being conquered, thus giving the opportunity to the superior Union Armies to destroy or scatter the Confederate Army of Tennessee.
All the aforesaid goals were achieved, giving then the way to Sherman Army to plan and develop the decisive military campaign called the March to the Sea.
The capture of Atlanta, Georgia, and then the capture of Savannah, Georgia, and the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, were all important factors. Additionally, General Sherman's victory in Atlanta helped Abraham Lincoln win re-election in 1864.
Lincoln's reelection in 1864 was due to Sherman's capture of Atlanta and his March to the Sea. (Lincoln did not run for President until 1860. Buchanan won in 1854.)
The Capture of Atlanta by Sherman's Union Army on November 2, 1864. It was the end of an offensive campaign which started on May 45, 1864.
There were three Union successes in a short interval that restored morale in the North. The fall of Atlanta. The clearing of the Shenandoah. The liberation of Mobile. Or it was greatly helped when Sherman captured Atlanta.
Sherman's capture of Atlanta in September 1864 was a pivotal moment in the American Civil War as it served as a significant boost for Union morale and solidified support for President Abraham Lincoln's reelection. Atlanta was a critical supply and transportation hub for the Confederacy, and its fall disrupted Southern logistics and communication. Additionally, the victory demonstrated the effectiveness of Sherman's military strategy and helped pave the way for his famous "March to the Sea," which aimed to weaken the South's resolve by targeting infrastructure and resources.
The Union's capture of Atlanta gave voters in the North confidence that there was progress being made in the war, which helped Lincoln's reelection. Abraham Lincolnwas America's 16th President.
The important events of the fall of Atlanta can be summarized as the following: * the capture of Atlanta gave Lincoln a much better chance of being reelected in the 1864 presidential race; * With Atlanta in the hands of General Sherman, he was able to cut various railway links to other parts of the South; * the city of Atlanta was deemed by its citizens as a "safe" place in terms of battles, its capture was a psychological blow to the South; and * with Atlanta in the hands of Union general Sherman, he was able to create a strategy for "marching to the sea" and capturing the seaport of Savannah Georgia.
Battlefield events significantly influenced Abraham Lincoln's reelection in 1864. Early in the year, Union defeats led to a decline in support for Lincoln, prompting fears he might not win a second term. However, pivotal victories, such as the capture of Atlanta, shifted public sentiment, boosting Northern morale and confidence in his leadership. Ultimately, these military successes helped secure his reelection, as voters rallied around the prospect of continued efforts to preserve the Union and end the Civil War.
The capture of Atlanta by General Sherman in 1864 helped the candidacy of President Abraham Lincoln. He would be reelected as president that year.
It released Grant to move to Virginia and take on Lee, while Sherman crowded Johnston back towards Atlanta.
A major rail junction for all Southern destinations. In this way, it was more important to the South than to the North, and Grant had issued no orders for its capture. But the fall of Atlanta was a big morale-raiser for the North when it looked as though Lincoln might not get re-elected.
The capture of Atlanta, Georgia, and then the capture of Savannah, Georgia, and the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, were all important factors. Additionally, General Sherman's victory in Atlanta helped Abraham Lincoln win re-election in 1864.