What is Total War Definition?
Total war is a term used to describe a type of warfare that involves the entire nation or society, where the military, economy, and civilians are all engaged in the conflict. This concept was first introduced by British historian Candian Callwell in his book "Small Wars: Their Principles and Practice" in 1896. In this article, we will delve into the definition of total war, its characteristics, and examples of total wars throughout history.
Definition of Total War
Total war is a military conflict that involves the mobilization of all available resources, including the military, economy, and civilians, to achieve a decisive victory. It is a type of warfare that is characterized by its all-encompassing nature, where every aspect of society is involved in the conflict. Total war is often used to describe conflicts that involve the entire nation or society, where the military, economy, and civilians are all engaged in the conflict.
Characteristics of Total War
Total war is characterized by several key features, including:
• Total mobilization: The entire nation or society is mobilized to support the war effort, including the military, economy, and civilians.
• All-encompassing conflict: The conflict involves every aspect of society, including the military, economy, and civilians.
• Decisive victory: The goal of total war is to achieve a decisive victory, often through the destruction of the enemy’s military, economy, and society.
• Long-term commitment: Total war often requires a long-term commitment from the nation or society, involving significant sacrifices and resources.
Examples of Total Wars
Total war has been used throughout history to describe several significant conflicts, including:
• World War I (1914-1918): World War I was a total war, involving the entire nation or society, including the military, economy, and civilians. The war was fought on multiple fronts, including the Western Front, Eastern Front, and Italian Front, and involved the mobilization of millions of soldiers and civilians.
• World War II (1939-1945): World War II was also a total war, involving the entire nation or society, including the military, economy, and civilians. The war was fought on multiple fronts, including Europe, Africa, and Asia, and involved the mobilization of millions of soldiers and civilians.
• American Civil War (1861-1865): The American Civil War was a total war, involving the entire nation or society, including the military, economy, and civilians. The war was fought between the Union (the Northern states) and the Confederacy (the Southern states) and involved the mobilization of millions of soldiers and civilians.
Comparison of Total War and Limited War
Total war is often contrasted with limited war, which is a type of warfare that involves limited resources and objectives. Limited war is often used to describe conflicts that are fought between two nations or societies, where the military, economy, and civilians are not fully engaged in the conflict.
Key Differences
The key differences between total war and limited war are:
• Resources: Total war involves the mobilization of all available resources, including the military, economy, and civilians, while limited war involves the use of limited resources.
• Objectives: Total war is often fought to achieve a decisive victory, while limited war is often fought to achieve limited objectives.
• Duration: Total war often requires a long-term commitment, while limited war is often fought for a shorter period of time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, total war is a type of warfare that involves the entire nation or society, where the military, economy, and civilians are all engaged in the conflict. Total war is characterized by its all-encompassing nature, where every aspect of society is involved in the conflict. Examples of total wars include World War I, World War II, and the American Civil War. Total war is often contrasted with limited war, which is a type of warfare that involves limited resources and objectives. Understanding the concept of total war is important for understanding the nature of warfare and the impact it has on society.
Table: Characteristics of Total War
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Mobilization | The entire nation or society is mobilized to support the war effort. |
| All-Encompassing Conflict | The conflict involves every aspect of society, including the military, economy, and civilians. |
| Decisive Victory | The goal of total war is to achieve a decisive victory, often through the destruction of the enemy’s military, economy, and society. |
| Long-Term Commitment | Total war often requires a long-term commitment from the nation or society, involving significant sacrifices and resources. |
Table: Examples of Total Wars
| War | Duration | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| World War I | 1914-1918 | Europe, Africa, and Asia | A global conflict involving the entire nation or society, including the military, economy, and civilians. |
| World War II | 1939-1945 | Europe, Africa, and Asia | A global conflict involving the entire nation or society, including the military, economy, and civilians. |
| American Civil War | 1861-1865 | United States | A conflict fought between the Union (the Northern states) and the Confederacy (the Southern states) involving the entire nation or society, including the military, economy, and civilians. |
Table: Comparison of Total War and Limited War
| Total War | Limited War | |
|---|---|---|
| Resources | All available resources are mobilized | Limited resources are used |
| Objectives | Decisive victory is the goal | Limited objectives are achieved |
| Duration | Long-term commitment is required | Short-term commitment is required |
I hope this article has provided a comprehensive overview of what total war is and its characteristics.
