What was the legacy of the outcome of Sherman's March to the Sea?

Question

I have to do this for a powerpoint presentation project in my U.S. History class. The outcome was the Union

Answer 1

You could also mention the profound and lasting effect that had on Southerners in Georgia. If you go there even now, these proud and historically knowledgeable people have a distrust of "Yankees", especially among the elder people. Go to Georgia and just keep your eyes peeled for a Confederate flag, should take about 5 minutes to see 10. They are everywhere. It was a morale blow to the the Southern cause, done more to defeat them emotionally and psychologicallly rather than militarily. Though the actual direct effects his march had on the strength of the rebels is very minute, it is the reason the south surrendered. The morale was just shattered.


Hope that helps

Answer 2

The legacy was that from Northwestern GA to almost Savannah (it wasn't burned) had to rebuild and start over. It probably gave Atlanta the restart it needed to becoming one of the largest and up n' coming cities in the US. However, it should be mentioned that Sherman burned South Carolina much worse than Georgia since he felt that SC had started the war. As a GA, citizen, there is a bit of bitterness toward him from the general public, but war is war. This was also the first example of true total warfare. (War against not only the soldiers but the citizens. ) While it might not have actually led to this type of warfare being used again is probably didn't hurt.

Answer 3

in the military it is a really good example of what is called the Indirect approach. Sherman knew that if he attacked the supply source of the south that the Army would collapse. By cutting the resupply lines and destroying infrastructure he ensured that the south would lose. The exact same approach was used in the West against the American Indians. Large numbers of commercial hunters were hired to destroy the Bison herds which was the basic for the hunter gather culture of the plains indians.