General William Tecumseh Sherman was a crucial figure in the American Civil War. Often hailed as one of the greatest military strategists and leaders of his time, General Sherman was instrumental in the Union Army’s eventual victory over the Confederate Army. However, teaching students about General Sherman and his role in the Civil War can be a tricky task. Controversial and complex, General Sherman’s military tactics and actions during the war are subject to diverse interpretations and debates. Nevertheless, it is essential to expose students to General Sherman’s story because it provides valuable insights into the challenges and ethical dilemmas of war, as well as the racial, social, and political tensions that shaped the Civil War era.
Teaching students about General Sherman requires contextualizing his actions within the broader picture of the Civil War. Therefore, it is useful to begin by explaining the causes and consequences of the Civil War, as well as the military strategies and key players involved in the conflict. Students should understand the ideological and economic differences between the Union and Confederacy, as well as the military strategies and technologies that each side employed. It’s also essential to introduce the major players in the Civil War, including Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and, of course, William Tecumseh Sherman.
Once students have a basic understanding of the Civil War, they can delve into General Sherman’s story. One of the most significant characteristics of General Sherman’s military tactics was his willingness to engage in total war. Total war is a military strategy that seeks the complete destruction of an enemy’s economic, social, and political infrastructure, including civilians. For many historians, General Sherman’s infamous March to the Sea, in which he led his troops on a destructive path across Georgia, epitomizes total war. Students can examine General Sherman’s rationale for engaging in total war and the ethical questions that arise from such military tactics.
At the same time, it is crucial to recognize General Sherman’s role in the broader context of the Civil War. The Civil War was not only about military battles but also about the abolition of slavery, the reunification of the country, and the establishment of a new social and political order. General Sherman’s attitudes towards slavery and race are controversial, as he was often ambivalent about the abolitionist movement. Nonetheless, teaching students about General Sherman’s transformation from a reluctant emancipator to an advocate of black rights, reveals the complexities of the Civil War era, including the fraught relationship between race and war.
