Sherman’s March to the Sea

Presentation Transcript

Answer

Guide

1. Why was it hard to imagine that U.S. Grant and W.T. Sherman would be in command of the Union Army when the war first began?

Grant was unfairly accused of being a drunk, and Sherman was unfairly accused of being crazy. Grant was broke before the war and Sherman had failed at business.

2. What was the main strategy Grant and Sherman developed after taking over command of the army?

Grant will confront main Confederate Army in Virginia while Sherman would attack Atlanta.

3. What becomes clear after Sherman captures Atlanta?

It becomes clear that Lincoln will win re-election to the Presidency.

4. What plan does Sherman propose after his capture of Atlanta?

He proposes a march from Atlanta to the Sea.

5. What is total war?

Total war is a war of psychology waged by destroying everything that could help the enemy such as its infrastructure, supply lines, and scaring soldiers into deserting so they would help their families.

6. What did Sherman’s army do to Atlanta before leaving on their march?

They burned 30% of the city to the ground.

7. On his march to the sea, what does Sherman authorize his army to do? Why does he do this?

Sherman tells his troops to plunder the countryside and take anything they need to sustain the army. The army is living off the land and will exhaust their supplies quickly if they don’t take from the Southern people.

8. As the soldiers march toward Savannah, how does Sherman know the South is running out of soldiers?

There are men over the age of 45 and boys younger than 18 fighting for the Confederacy.

9. What desperate tactic did Southerners begin to use?

They began to line the road with landmines called torpedoes.

10. What was one of the saddest moments in the March to the Sea?

Six hundred freed slaves were stranded on the banks of the Ebenezer Creek with General Wheeler’s calvary closing in.

11. What Christmas gift did Sherman present to Lincoln?

He had taken the city of Savannah.

12. After capturing Savannah, what is the Union’s next objective?

Sherman wants to take South Carolina and punish her for starting the war.

13. Why did the troops want to punish South Carolina?

It was the first state to secede and the place where the war began.

14. Why did the burning of Columbia, SC, not upset Sherman?

He valued the lives of his soldiers more than the city and it helped end the war.

15. Why were so many Confederate soldiers deserting the army?

They were worried about what was happening at home and feared for their loved ones who were suffering. They had to chose between being patriotic or taking care of their families.