The impact of the Battle of Antietam on future military engagements was marked by an emphasis on total war.

The significant loss of life and the harsh truths of industrial warfare underscored the necessity for a more holistic strategy in conflict. Military leaders started to understand that overcoming the enemy involved not only achieving battlefield victories but also eroding their resources and morale. This change in perspective impacted later strategies, resulting in campaigns aimed at disrupting supply lines, infrastructure, and civilian support networks, which ultimately influenced the trajectory of the Civil War and future military engagements.