Final answer:
General Sherman's March to the Sea aimed to break the spirits of Confederate citizens by destroying resources and infrastructure, as part of a strategy to demoralize the South and hasten the end of the war. The correct answer is A - Break the spirits of Confederate citizens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Purpose of General Sherman's March to the Sea
General William T. Sherman's March to the Sea was a military campaign during the American Civil War with several objectives, primarily aimed at crippling the Confederate war effort. The significance of Sherman's march is often discussed in the context of the strategy of total war. One main purpose of this campaign was to break the spirits of Confederate citizens and soldiers alike, by inflicting damage on their resources and infrastructure. After capturing Atlanta, Sherman and his forces proceeded to march across Georgia, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure, resources, and property. The march was strategic in diminishing the Confederacy’s will to continue fighting, which was a crucial component in the overall Union strategy.
The correct answer to the question posed is A - Break the spirits of Confederate citizens. This was part of a wider strategy to demoralize the Confederacy, which was deemed necessary by Sherman to end the war swiftly and decisively. As Sherman's forces advanced, they destroyed railroads, burned plantations and farms, and confiscated livestock, thus creating a significant impact on the civilian population and the Confederate economy.