During this time, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte became known for his savagery. The Iran-Iraq War (1980–88), though fought with limited resources in that neither side had a large industrial base or much airpower, was very close to a total war for both belligerents. They write: The Iran-Iraq War (1980–88), though fought with limited resources in that neither side had a large industrial base or much airpower, was very close to a total war for both belligerents . Definitions and Examples. … He sent hundreds of thousands of troops across the empire to kill the citizens without discrimination and enslave others to be used as human shields in later battles. Total war is a strategy in which militaries use any means necessary to win, including those considered morally or ethically wrong in the context of warfare. courses that prepare you to earn Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Military strategist Carl von Clausewitz, lithograph by Franz Michelis after an oil painting by Wilhelm Wach, 1830. Definition and Examples. While the IHL helped curb total war by making the deliberate targeting of civilians illegal, it did not end the use of certain strategies, such as mandatory military service in Israel, South Korea, Armenia (and many others), or the destruction of civilian homes, such as in the Syrian Civil War, or the deliberate targeting of civilians in the war in Yemen. The population of entire cities was slain in an attempt to completely destroy the basis of their adversaries’ support. After the lesson, test your understanding with a short quiz. Genghis Khan, the 13th-century Mongolian conqueror, followed a strategy of total war. The purpose is to destroy the other contender’s resources so that they are unable to continue to wage war. In this lesson, you'll learn the definition and characteristics of total war and briefly explore some examples, both ancient and modern, of the use of this destructive warfare tactic. Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. Total war is the idea that the enemy can best be defeated by attacking everything: soldiers, citizens, food, supplies, and more. In addition, stopping any and all movement of military equipment, soldiers, food, resources, and civilians, among other things, is often employed to defeat the enemy; if the people are getting less of what they need, this may weaken their will and make it easier to conquer them. During the French Revolution, the Revolutionary Tribunal engaged in acts of total war, nicknamed “The Terror.” During this period, the Tribunal executed anyone who did not show fervent and undying support of the Revolution. What Is Totalitarianism? https://study.com/academy/lesson/total-war-definition-examples.html The bombing destroyed the nation’s railways system, aircraft factories, and other resources. The practice of total war, however, largely ended with World War II, as nuclear war assured mutually assured destruction. Written by academics at Eastern Michigan University, the Cengage Advantage Books: World History textbook claims that while total war "is traditionally associated with the two global wars of the twentieth century... it would seem that instances of total war predate the twentieth century." Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Many in the Union sought a more vigorous approach. 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When it comes to the conflict itself, the United States initiated the four-year Blockade of Germany which starved citizens and soldiers alike and debilitated the nation’s access to resources. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. This has not been universally true, however. Total war, military conflict in which the contenders are willing to make any sacrifice in lives and other resources to obtain a complete victory, as distinguished from limited war. It was a chance to eradicate slavery. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. This act was initiated because a shortage of artillery shells in 1915 led to a change in government and new measures were necessary to increase production. During the Napoleonic Wars that followed the revolution, it is estimated that approximately five million people died over the twenty-year period. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | Brionne Frazier is a history and politics writer specializing in international security and society. Updates? Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. During World War II, much like the previous World War, both the Allies and the Axis powers utilized conscription and civilian mobilization on all fronts. Governments played an active and interventionist role, passing laws and implementing policies that would be considered intolerable during peacetime. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. This might include targeting major infrastructure and blocking access to water, internet, or imports (often through blockades). Some of the earliest and most significant examples of total war occurred in the Middle... Total War in the 18th and 19th Centuries. People who had not consented were made to sacrifice food, supplies, time, and money to aid the war. She has covered topics including nuclear policy, organized crime, and climate policy. While state-sponsored imperialist wars tend to have the greatest numbers of casualties, it is not the number of casualties alone that defines a total war. Visit the AP World History: Homework Help Resource page to learn more. His 19th-century admirers tended to overlook his insistence that the conduct of war must be strictly controlled by attainable political objectives. Among smaller powers the fear of nuclear war has had little restrictive effect; most wars between small countries since 1945 have been limited. Ideological or religious conflicts are more likely to give rise to total war. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Total war impacts civilians as well as combatants. credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. How Long Does it Take to Learn a Language? Corrections? This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/total-war, British Broadcasting Corporation - The Western Front and the Birth of Total War. Total war is the most extreme form of warfare, one where any action or behavior is acceptable to stop or conquer an enemy. The Allies of World War II responded with total war themselves when they were bombing Germany. just create an account. Create your account. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. This "scorched earth" policy holds that the best way to win a war is to ensure that the opposition cannot mount a second attack. The Persians razed cities while they were creating their empire, and so too did the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians. Flint has tutored mathematics through precalculus, science, and English and has taught college history. The Allies, The United States During WWII: The Home Front, The D-Day Invasion: The Beginning of the End of Nazi Germany, Hiroshima and Nagasaki: How the Atomic Bomb Changed Warfare During WWII, Alliances and Expansions During World War II, Benito Mussolini: Biography, Facts & Quotes, Biological and Biomedical Additionally, in total war, there is no limit on the type of weapons used and biological, chemical, nuclear, and other weapons of mass destruction may be unleashed. What is the difference between a war and a battle? Already registered? If the soldiers involved in total warfare are taken prisoner, they often end up doing hard labor or some other task that is high risk; if the prisoners-of-war do the difficult work, the soldiers don't have to. A little girl carries jerrycans after she filled them up with clean water from a charity pump during a continuing clean water crisis on July 24, 2018 in Sana'a, Yemen. People March Thru Georgia Following Sherman. After World War II, especially during the Cold War, the prospect of all-out nuclear war raised a conceptual problem in that such a war presumably would short-circuit the processes of all-out mobilization of resources and regimentation of national effort—that is, the very mobilization and regimentation that had made the World Wars seem more total than earlier ones. The two World Wars of the 20th century are usually regarded as total or at least the most total of history’s wars, although they were, of course, limited in numerous ways. Later, the U.S. bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan with atomic weapons, incinerating tens of thousands of people and hurting many more through the lasting effects of radiation. Definition, Tactics, and Examples. Is There Too Much Technology in the Classroom? Simple territorial aggrandizement has not, for the most part, brought about total commitments to war. Clausewitz also stressed the importance of crushing the adversary’s forces in battle. Britain’s leaders had extensive powers to reduce threats and at the same time harness its economy through the Defense of the Realm Act. succeed. When the first campaigns failed and the belligerents steeled themselves to fight a long war of attrition, World War I became total—that... Joseph Goebbels calling for total war before a crowd in Berlin, 1943. World War I was a total war. You can test out of the 's' : ''}}. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. The goal is not only to decimate but to demoralize the enemy beyond recovery so that they are unable to continue fighting. The earliest modern example of total war was the American Civil War. Select a subject to preview related courses: Most recently, the Nazis practiced total war during World War II when they imprisoned all Jews, blacks, and homosexuals after stripping them of their identities and valuables. Ministers and departments took control of economic production, nationalising factories, determining p… The British and American forces firebombed the German city of Dresden because it was one of Germany’s industrial capitals. Propaganda and rationing continued, and civilians were expected to work longer hours to compensate for human capital lost during the war. The World Wars: Total War … Another famous example of total war occurred during the American Civil War with Sherman’s March to the Sea. Total war began in the Middle Ages and continued through the two World Wars. History of Total War Total War in the Middle Ages. Services. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. Hezbollah: History, Organization, and Ideology, B.A., International Relations, Brown University. Enemies of Rome were often publicly humiliated, and entire tribes or groups of people were often sold into slavery. The warfare conducted by ancient civilizations, such as Persia or Rome, and the modern warfare conducted by the Nazis during World War II are both good examples of total warfare. Union generals Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman were convinced that, if the North was to be victorious, the Confederacy's strategic, economic, and psychological ability to wage war had to be definitively crushed. Smaller conflicts across the globe, such as tribal wars, incorporate aspects of total war by kidnapping, enslaving, and killing civilians.