Answer:
The correct answer is D. Sherman hoped that by taking Georgia, the South could be further deprived of needed goods from abroad.
Explanation:
Sherman's March to the Sea started on September 2, 1864, when he decided to make a breakthrough through Georgia, to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in order to cut down the basic economic base of the South. Having deployed about 6,000 men in four columns, Sherman set out from the previously burned Atlanta on November 12.
Considering the main goal of the campaign to destroy the economy of Georgia, the richest area of the South, Sherman ordered his forces to destroy the Georgian railways, bridges, public buildings, farms and warehouses in the direction of their movement. Moving on a front 90 km wide and not encountering any serious resistance, the troops of the North quickly advanced towards the Atlantic coast. In addition to the planned destruction, due to insufficiently strong discipline, there was a mass robbery and considerable arbitrariness of individuals and entire units. The troops of the South were forced to leave Savannah on December 21, where Sherman's troops entered the next day. After a march of another 20 km, they broke out on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
With the success of Sherman's March to the Sea, devastated Georgia could no longer supply the army of the South. In addition, that territory was cut and separated into two parts, and a large number of black slaves from Georgia joined the army of the North. All that significantly affected the imminent end of the war.
