It made the people realize that it was not just a collection of individual states; it was one unified nation.
Total Warfare: its best example was Sherman's March to the Sea, where his troops destroyed railroads, bridges, warehouses, crops, telegraph lines, all forms of infrastructure. It prevented sending reinforcements and supplies to Lee's troops, starving them out, and it served to weaken the morale of the serving troops, making them fear for the safety of their families back home.
This statement is false.
Executive orders are subject to judicial review and may be invalidated if they don't have support by the Constitution. The main initiatives require approval by the legislative branch, but executive orders have significant influence over the internal affairs of government, deciding how and to what degree legislation will be applied, dealing with emergencies and waging wars.
