Why was Atlanta important to the US Civil War?

Answer 1

It was the bread-basket of the South, because of its rich farmland - as Sherman noticed when he made his new plan to despoil the farms and demoralise the civilians.

But the Confederate leaders had trouble keeping Georgia loyal, because its Governor believed that Georgian troops should be used only for the defence of Georgia itself, and not be recruited into the Army of Tennessee or the Army of Northern Virginia.

Answer 2

because it was the end to all major rail lines

Answer 3

The fall of Atlanta made big news that revived Northern civilian morale in the run-up to the General Election of November 1864.

Answer 4

Atlanta was the main supplier of cotton and it was the central rail hub.