What new tactic of the war was introduced by Sherman's " march to the sea " ?
The tactic, while not really new to history, was terrorizing civilians.
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/shermans-march-to-the-sea.htm
The tactic is called scorched earth. It involves destroying anything useful to the enemy while advancing or withdrawing from the area.
Scorched earth is a much better answer than mine.
Thank you, Anonymous, for all of your answers this evening.
Sherman's "March to the Sea" during the American Civil War introduced a new tactic known as "total war." This tactic involved targeting not only military forces but also civilian infrastructure and resources to deprive the enemy of their capacity to wage war.
To understand this tactic, we can start by looking at the context of Sherman's campaign. In late 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman led a Union army from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. The goal was to disrupt the Confederate war effort by destroying supply lines, capturing strategic targets, and undermining civilian morale.
To get the answer to your question, we can break the process down into a few steps:
1. Research the context: Get a general understanding of the American Civil War and Sherman's campaign. Look into the objectives, timeline, and key events surrounding the "March to the Sea."
2. Study primary sources: Consult primary sources such as Sherman's reports, letters, and memoirs to gain insight into his intentions and tactics. These sources provide valuable firsthand accounts of the campaign and can shed light on any new tactics implemented.
3. Explore secondary sources: Consult secondary sources, such as historical books, articles, or academic papers, written by experts on the Civil War or Sherman's campaign. These sources can provide analysis, interpretation, and summaries of the tactics employed during the "March to the Sea."
4. Analyze the results: Look for evidence that indicates a new tactic was introduced during the campaign. This could include changes in military strategy, civilian targeting, or specific actions taken by Sherman and his forces.
By following these steps, you can gather information from reliable sources to find the answer to your question and gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and significance of Sherman's "March to the Sea" in introducing the tactic of total war.