Final answer:
War traditionally involves military engagements, but General William T. Sherman's March to the Sea during the Civil War targeted both military and economic resources, including the civilian population and the Homefront, aiming to undermine the Confederate will to fight.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Traditional Warfare and Sherman's March:
War traditionally involves armies clashing against each other on battlefields, away from civilian populations. However, General William T. Sherman's March to the Sea during the Civil War was a form of warfare that directly impacted the civilian population and the homefront. Sherman's strategy was one of total war, which aimed to destroy the Confederate will to resist by attacking not just the military, but also the economic and psychological capacity of the South to wage war. His troops burned crops, killed livestock, raided plantations, and destroyed infrastructure such as railroads, which were vital to the Confederacy's war effort and civilian life.
Unlike conventional battles, Sherman’s March to the Sea did not focus solely on military targets. It involved a broad swath of destruction that had profound effects on the homefront, intentionally disrupting the everyday lives of the civilian population. As Sherman's forces moved through Georgia, they caused widespread devastation to farms and towns, significantly undermining the Civilian morale and the region's ability to support Confederate forces.
The tactic of waging war against both the military and civilian infrastructure as seen in Sherman’s March is considered harsh due to its impact on civilians but was justified by military leaders like William Sherman as necessary to hasten the end of the war. This approach to warfare recognized that the power and resilience of a nation at war are not solely based on its active military but also on the support it garners from its civilian population and economic resources.