Scorched Earth Tactics

Definition

Scorched earth tactics refer to a military strategy that involves deliberately destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy during a retreat or withdrawal. This often includes burning crops, poisoning wells, and destroying infrastructure to deny the opposing force access to critical resources.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Scorched earth tactics were widely employed during the American Civil War, particularly by Union forces under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman.
2. The goal of scorched earth tactics was to cripple the Confederacy's ability to wage war by destroying its economic and agricultural resources, as well as its transportation and communication networks.
3. Sherman's 'March to the Sea' in 1864 is a prime example of scorched earth tactics, where his troops systematically destroyed everything in their path as they advanced through Georgia.
4. Scorched earth tactics were not limited to the American Civil War and have been used throughout history, such as during the Mongol invasions and the Second World War.
5. The use of scorched earth tactics is often controversial, as it can have devastating effects on civilian populations and the environment, and may be considered a war crime under international law.

Review Questions

• Explain how scorched earth tactics were used by Union forces during the American Civil War.
  • During the American Civil War, Union forces, particularly under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman, employed scorched earth tactics to cripple the Confederacy's ability to wage war. This involved systematically destroying the South's economic and agricultural resources, as well as its transportation and communication networks, as Union troops advanced through the region. The goal was to weaken the Confederacy's war effort by denying it access to critical supplies and infrastructure, rather than seeking a decisive military victory.
• Describe the potential consequences of using scorched earth tactics, both during the American Civil War and in other historical contexts.
  • The use of scorched earth tactics can have severe consequences, both during the American Civil War and in other historical contexts. Such tactics can have devastating effects on civilian populations, as the destruction of crops, wells, and infrastructure can lead to famine, disease, and displacement. Additionally, the environmental damage caused by scorched earth tactics can be long-lasting and difficult to recover from. The use of scorched earth tactics is also often considered a war crime under international law, as it can be seen as a disproportionate and indiscriminate attack on civilian targets. However, proponents of scorched earth tactics argue that they can be an effective military strategy in certain situations, such as weakening an enemy's war effort or denying them access to critical resources.
• Analyze the role of scorched earth tactics in the broader context of the changing nature of warfare during the American Civil War, as discussed in Chapter 15.3.
  • The use of scorched earth tactics by Union forces during the American Civil War was part of a broader shift in the nature of warfare that occurred during this period. As the conflict dragged on, both sides increasingly sought to target the enemy's economic and civilian resources, rather than focusing solely on traditional military engagements. This reflected the growing recognition that victory in the Civil War would require the complete subjugation of the opposing side, rather than just the defeat of its armies. The widespread use of scorched earth tactics, as exemplified by Sherman's 'March to the Sea,' was a manifestation of this shift towards a more total, destructive form of warfare. This change in military strategy had far-reaching consequences, both for the course of the war and the long-term impact on the affected regions and populations.

Related terms

Total War: A military strategy that aims to mobilize all of a nation's resources, including the civilian population, to achieve complete victory over the enemy.

Guerrilla Warfare: An asymmetric form of warfare in which small, mobile groups of irregular soldiers use surprise attacks and hit-and-run tactics to harass and weaken a larger, conventional force.

Attrition Warfare: A military strategy that focuses on wearing down the enemy's resources and manpower through prolonged, sustained combat rather than seeking a decisive victory.