In what ways was Atlanta important to the Confederacy?
1 Answer
Atlanta was both a manufacturing center and a railroad hub.
Explanation:
When the Union forces captured Atlanta the south was no longer able to shift troops from the Western battles to the Eastern battles or from the Eastern battles to the Western battles.
The factories in Atlanta could not be replaced by any other manufacturing centers in the south, leaving the Southern armies without replacements of rifles, cannon and other critical supplies.
Furthermore there were no armies left to oppose Sherman's March to the sea. After capturing Atlanta the Union forces Marched through Georgia destroying farms, railroads, and food supplies.
The Atlanta was crucial to the Confederacy. When Atlanta fell to the Union forces the Confederacy lost control of the southern most states of the Confederacy , rail junctions and movement, as well the manufacturing potential of Atlanta's factories.
