Was WW2 a Total War?
Historians and scholars have engaged in a long-standing debate about the nature of World War II. One of the questions that has sparked this discussion is whether World War II was a total war, a concept coined by economist and historian Thomas Hobson in 1939.
Definition of Total War
Total war is defined as a type of modern warfare where a nation is fully mobilized and employed to fight the war economically, industrially, intellectually, and militarily in order to achieve a national goal or defend national values. This concept emerged with the Industrial Revolution, and World War I was also considered a total war since it involved the full activation of a nation’s industries, infrastructure, and civil society to support the military effort.
Arguments in Favor of WW2 Being a Total War
proponents of the view that WW2 was a total war argue that the conflict between the Axis powers (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan) and the Allied Powers (United States, the United Kingdom, and France) involved the mobilization of all available resources of the belligerents. Here are some compelling arguments:
Societal Mobilization: The war effort required all citizens to participate in and support the war effort directly or indirectly. This entailed conscription into the military, women entering the workforce, rationing of food, energy conservation, voluntary organizations, propaganda campaigns to promote unity and combat enemy morale, and a strong government presence, among other measures.
Table: Societal Mobilization Measures during World War II Country/Alliance Conscription Women in Workforce Rationing Propaganda Economic Controls United States Yes Yes No Yes Yes (e.g., War Manpower Commission) United Kingdom Yes Yes (with limitations) Limited Yes Yes (e.g., Ministry of Information) Germany Not necessary (volunteer enlistment) Limited female participation Limited Not applicable (Nazi state propaganda) Yes, through state control Economic Mobilization: The war effort put a significant strain on global resources, leading to large-scale production and supply demands. Governments had to use fiscal and monetary policies to stimulate manufacturing, manage resource allocation, and ensure economic stability during the war. Key Industries: 1941-1943 — United States: 1941= $81 billion, 1942= $121 billion, 1943= $163 billion* United Kingdom: 1941-1943= £60 billion, £70 billion, £80 billion
- Technological Front: The war also pioneered the use of new technology, such as electronic warfare, synthetic rubber, super-petrification, jet engines, and other innovations, which became standard features of modern warfare and had significant implications for economics, industry, and government.
Arguments Against WW2 Being a Total War
Opponents of the view that WW2 was a total war argue that the conflict was not absolute in its demands on human and economic resources. Some points of contention
- Limited Mobilization: In contrast to total war, WW2, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States, saw partial mobilization, with significant sectors such as agriculture, education, arts, and leisure activities remaining relatively less affected.
- Gradual Involvement: The United States, as an example, did not enter the war until mid-1941, over a year after Germany conquered France, and it required a gradual mobilization in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
- Civilian Control: World War II was characterized more by civilian-directed mobilization, where industrial production, agriculture, transportation, and other essential services were monitored and managed by governments.
Conclusion
While different historians and scholars may perceive World War II as somewhere between a partial war, a mobilized war, or a total war due to the nuances of resources, industrial capacity, conscription, and societal unity, the evidence suggests a mix of both worlds. On one side, the war required global resources, massive industrial capabilities, and full mobilization of citizens to achieve victorious outcomes. On the other side, certain sectors in some belligerent countries were relatively less engaged, and there were different degrees of involvement, not to mention the limited government control and partial mobilization.
Ultimately, whether labeled as a total war, mobilized war, partial war, or something between, World War II redefined the concept of armed conflict and set the modern standard for the intergovernmental, industrial, financial, and social implications on the war effort. In the context of WW2, understanding the war through the lens of total warfare can help historians, decision-makers, and scholars further grasp the dynamics of state, economy, and citizenship during a time of devastating global conflict.
