(A) To help the Union and Sherman
(B) ** So the Union would not be able to use the factories for themselves.
(C) They were angry.
(D) So the Confederacy would not be able to use the factories for themselves.
EXPLANATIONS BELOW
Concept note-1: -Through October, Sherman built up a massive cache of supplies in Atlanta. He then ordered a systematic destruction of the city to prevent the Confederates from recovering anything once the Yankees had abandoned it.
Concept note-2: -By April 1865, the Confederate government realized the siege was almost over and abandoned the city lest they be captured. The retreating Confederates chose to burn military supplies rather than let them fall into Union hands; the resulting fire destroyed much of central Richmond.
Concept note-3: -Given Atlanta’s position south of the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, capturing the city would severely threaten the stability of the Confederacy. If Atlanta fell, Union leadership hoped that it would bring the already bloody war to a swift end.
Concept note-4: -Because of its location and commercial importance, Atlanta was used as a center for military operations and as a supply route by the Confederate army during the Civil War.