Final answer:
Sherman's March to the Sea led to the destruction of crops and property, economic devastation, and displacement of families for Georgia farmers. The scorched-earth campaign was intended to cripple the Confederacy's ability to sustain war and resulted in significant agricultural, economic, and demographic changes in Georgia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effects of General William T. Sherman’s March to the Sea on farmers in Georgia were multifaceted and devastating. During the march, which commenced in September 1864 and concluded with the capture of Savannah in December, Sherman’s troops carried out a scorched-earth policy to demoralize the Confederacy and make it unable to sustain war. This campaign destroyed crops and property, leading to widespread economic devastation and the displacement of families.
One significant impact was the destruction of crops, which not only deprived the Confederate army of resources but also left many farmers without the means to sustain their livelihoods. In some regions, especially where cotton was the primary cash crop, the destruction caused a sharp decline in production, leading to economic hardship as farmers could no longer sell their products at profitable prices, or at all.
Furthermore, the march exacerbated the dire economic condition in the South, where without capital or access to credit, farmers and landowners were already struggling due to falling cotton prices and the lack of a market for their goods.
In addition to economic impacts, the march led to significant displacement of families. Many Georgians found themselves homeless or were forced to flee as Union troops advanced, leading to a refugee crisis within the Confederacy. Moreover, the campaign compounded social upheavals as many enslaved individuals seized the opportunity to claim their freedom by following the Union troops, which resulted in a demographic shift and a realignment of land and labor relations in the state.
Overall, Sherman's March was a turning point in the Civil War, designed to break the Confederate will. Its effects were felt most profoundly by the farmers of Georgia who experienced the full brunt of the campaign's efforts to cripple the South's agricultural base and wartime infrastructure.