Total War

Definition

Total war is a military strategy that involves the complete mobilization of a society's resources and the targeting of not just enemy combatants, but also civilian infrastructure and economic resources. This approach blurs the lines between battlefield and home front, as it seeks to destroy the enemy's capacity to sustain war by attacking their supply chains, industries, and morale. In the context of major battles and campaigns, total war represents a shift in warfare that escalates conflicts to unprecedented levels, affecting both soldiers and civilians alike.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Total war was prominently employed during the American Civil War, particularly by Union forces who aimed to undermine the Confederacy’s ability to sustain its war effort.
2. General Sherman's March to the Sea is one of the most notable examples of total war, where troops destroyed railroads, factories, and plantations as they advanced through Georgia.
3. The impact of total war extended beyond military victories; it significantly affected civilian life, leading to widespread devastation and suffering in affected regions.
4. Total war strategies often lead to high civilian casualties and destruction of property, which can generate long-lasting societal scars and resentment.
5. Total war represented a transformation in military tactics that would influence future conflicts, changing how wars were fought and how societies engaged with warfare.

Review Questions

• How did Sherman's March to the Sea exemplify the principles of total war during the Civil War?
  • Sherman's March to the Sea is a clear example of total war as it involved not only military engagements but also extensive destruction of civilian resources and infrastructure. By targeting railroads, factories, and plantations, Sherman aimed to dismantle the Confederacy's capacity to continue fighting. This strategy sought to demoralize Southern civilians and soldiers alike, illustrating how total war blurred the lines between combatants and non-combatants.
• Discuss the implications of total war on civilian populations during major conflicts like the Civil War.
  • The implications of total war on civilian populations were profound and often devastating. Civilian infrastructure was frequently targeted to undermine enemy resources, leading to widespread destruction and suffering. As seen in conflicts such as the Civil War, civilians faced displacement, food shortages, and loss of property. This approach not only aimed at achieving military objectives but also had lasting social and psychological effects on affected communities.
• Evaluate how total war has transformed military strategies in modern warfare compared to previous conflicts.
  • Total war has fundamentally transformed military strategies by integrating civilian resources into conflict dynamics, making entire societies participants in warfare. Unlike previous conflicts that primarily focused on battles between armies, total war recognizes that defeating an enemy involves crippling their economic base and morale. This shift has influenced modern warfare tactics, leading to strategies that often include air strikes on infrastructure and cyber warfare targeting critical systems, reflecting a more holistic view of conflict where every aspect of a nation is considered part of the battleground.

Related terms

Sherman's March to the Sea:

A military campaign led by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman during the American Civil War, characterized by its strategy of total war aimed at crippling the Confederacy's ability to fight.

Civilian Targeting: The practice of attacking civilian populations and infrastructure as part of a military strategy, often seen in total war scenarios where the enemy’s resources and morale are primary targets.

Scorched Earth Policy: A military strategy involving the destruction of anything that could be useful to the enemy while advancing through or withdrawing from an area, often used in total war tactics.