Atlanta was a substantial manufacturing and mercantile base, with four major railroads connecting the city with all points of the South. Sherman knew this and with plan to restrict the South of its resources and make them want to stop fighting. Atlanta was a great target. The railroads in this time period were the fastest way to move supplies, when a hub is taken out that is a severe blow.
They saw plessy v Ferguson as that the were "separate but equal" meaning that all races were given the same opportunities but were segregated. Let me know if this is right/ helps!
