Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman employed a total war strategy during the American Civil War as a means to hasten the defeat of the Confederate forces and bring the conflict to a swift conclusion. This approach was characterized by targeting not only enemy combatants but also the economic infrastructure and civilian resources that supported the Confederate war effort. Here are a few key reasons why they adopted this strategy and how it contributed to the end of the war:
Reasons for Total War Strategy
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Destruction of Resources: Grant and Sherman understood that the Confederacy was fighting a war with limited resources. By destroying railroads, factories, farms, and other infrastructure, they aimed to cripple the South's ability to sustain its army and economy.
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Psychological Impact: Total war was designed to demoralize both Confederate soldiers and civilians. By showcasing the consequences of the war on Southern society, the Union hoped to weaken the resolve of the Confederate populace to continue fighting.
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Speedy Resolution: The war had lasted for several years, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. A total war approach was seen as a means to expedite the end of the conflict, thereby saving lives in the long run.
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Strategic Envelopment: Grant's campaigns, particularly around Vicksburg and the Overland Campaign, aimed to engage Confederate forces decisively while cutting off their supply lines, further isolating them and making eventual defeat more achievable.
Contribution to the End of the War
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Sherman's March to the Sea: Sherman's famous march from Atlanta to Savannah in late 1864 exemplified total war. His troops destroyed infrastructure, confiscated supplies, and burned plantations, which significantly undermined Southern morale and resources. This campaign not only crippled the Confederate war effort but also demonstrated the Union's military might, discouraging further resistance.
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Grant's Campaigns: Grant's relentless pursuit of Confederate forces in Virginia, particularly during the Overland Campaign, led to significant Confederate losses. His willingness to absorb casualties and apply continuous pressure on Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia forced the Confederates into a defensive posture, ultimately leading to Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House in April 1865.
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Weakened Confederate Resolve: The total war strategy significantly eroded the resolve of both Confederate soldiers and civilians. As the Union forces destroyed critical infrastructure and supplies, many Southern citizens began to question the likelihood of success and the sacrifices required to continue the fight.
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Integration of Tactics: Grant and Sherman coordinated their efforts, effectively utilizing the Union's numerical and resource advantages. Grant kept Lee engaged in Virginia while Sherman executed his campaign in the Deep South, effectively dividing and diminishing Confederate resources.
In summary, Grant and Sherman's use of total war was a strategic choice to bring about a quicker end to the Civil War by targeting the very fabric of Southern society and economy. This strategy not only led to significant military victories but also contributed to the fracturing of Confederate morale, paving the way for the eventual surrender of Confederate forces.