The term "scorched earth" in General William Tecumseh Sherman's strategy referred to the practice of burning crops, supplies, and infrastructure to weaken the enemy during the Civil War.

This tactic was part of Sherman’s "March to the Sea," where his troops systematically destroyed anything that could aid the Confederate war effort in Georgia, including food stores and railroads. The objective was to undermine the Confederacy’s resources and morale, making it difficult for them to sustain their armies. This strategy not only crippled the Southern economy but also aimed to hasten the end of the war by demoralizing Confederate forces.