c) Demoralize the South

General Sherman’s key objective in his notorious March to the Sea was to demoralize the South. The campaign, known for its “scorched earth” tactics, involved widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, industry, and resources. Sherman aimed to break the Confederate will to fight and hasten the end of the war. This psychological warfare was effective in disrupting the Southern economy and military capacity but remains controversial for its impact on Southern civilians and its role in shaping the concept of total war.