General William T Sherman Hero Criminal and Terrorist
General William Tecumseh Sherman; Hero, Criminal and Terrorist
It is said, “The victor writes history.” In no case is this better illustrated than that of William Tecumseh Sherman. In most history books Sherman is touted as nothing less than a hero. It is often said he was the first modern general because of his use of total war. To many in the southern United States, Sherman was no hero. In the State of Georgia, many people even in present day revere William Tecumseh Sherman as the most hated man in history. In light of names such as Hitler and Hussein this is quite a feat, with so many generations removed. How could this be so? Sherman was no mad man. He was not genocidal, nor was he an evil totalitarian. Here is how, Sherman was a terrorist and war criminal, even though history books fail to make much mention of these facts.
By the modern meaning, Sherman would not classify as a terrorist. Terrorists today are classified as individuals or nongovernmental groups who commit violent acts. They are usually neither part of nor officially serving in the military forces, any law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, or other governmental agencies of an established nation-state. That being said, if one were to trace the meaning of terrorism back to its origin you find a different definition. The word terrorism was first used in France to describe a new system of government adopted during the French Revolution.
The regime de la terreur (Reign of Terror) was intended to promote democracy and popular rule by ridding the revolution of its enemies and purifying it in the process. However, the oppression and violent excesses of the terreur transformed it into a feared instrument of the state. It is without question that Sherman was a feared instrument of the Union state. Also by any account, Sherman was set on ridding the Union of its enemies by oppression and violent excesses. These features were the heart of Sherman’s Total War Philosophy. The total war concept was and still is a philosophy that holds, armed conflict involves a struggle not only between competing military forces, but also between the societies of the competing states. By Sherman’s own account, total war was necessary to save the democracy. Sherman’s belief that he should “rein terror” reverberates in...