Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman employed a total war strategy during the American Civil War to decisively undermine the Confederacy's ability to continue fighting. This approach aimed not only to engage enemy troops but also to destroy the South's economic resources and infrastructure, which were vital for sustaining the war effort. By targeting railroads, supply lines, and civilian property, Grant's relentless campaigns in the east and Sherman's infamous "March to the Sea" devastated the South's morale and logistical capabilities. This strategy contributed significantly to the end of the war, as the relentless destruction demoralized Confederate forces and civilians alike, hastening the collapse of their resistance and ultimately leading to the Union's victory. The total war approach illustrated a shift in military strategy, emphasizing that the war would not only be fought on battlefields but also in the economic and psychological realms, effectively shortening the conflict and saving lives in the long run.
Write a paragraph explaining Why did Generals Grant and Sherman use a total war strategy and how did that strategy contribute to the end of the war?
(4 points)
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