History The American Civil War Questions Medium
The concept of total war refers to a military strategy in which all resources and efforts of a nation are mobilized towards achieving victory in a conflict. It involves not only targeting enemy combatants but also their infrastructure, economy, and civilian population. In the context of the American Civil War, total war was applied by both the Union and Confederate forces.
The Union, under the leadership of General Ulysses S. Grant, implemented a total war strategy to bring about a swift end to the war. Grant believed in the idea of "unconditional surrender," meaning that the Confederacy had to be completely defeated and its will to fight destroyed. To achieve this, the Union army targeted not only Confederate soldiers but also civilian infrastructure and resources. They destroyed railroads, bridges, and factories, and confiscated or destroyed crops and livestock. The Union also implemented a naval blockade to cut off Confederate supply lines.
On the Confederate side, General Robert E. Lee also employed elements of total war. He aimed to disrupt Union supply lines and morale by launching raids into Union territory. Confederate forces targeted Union infrastructure, such as railroads and telegraph lines, and engaged in guerrilla warfare tactics. Additionally, the Confederacy relied on the destruction of resources to deny them to the Union army.
The application of total war in the Civil War had significant consequences. It led to widespread destruction and devastation, particularly in the South. Civilians suffered greatly as their homes, farms, and livelihoods were destroyed. The war also had a profound impact on the economy, with both sides experiencing significant financial strain.
Overall, the concept of total war in the American Civil War involved the mobilization of all available resources and the targeting of both military and civilian assets. It had a lasting impact on the war's outcome and the lives of those affected by it.