Total War

Definition

Total war is a military strategy that involves the complete mobilization of resources and people, aiming to achieve total victory over an enemy by targeting not just the opposing military forces but also the economic and civilian infrastructure that supports them. This approach blurs the lines between combatants and non-combatants, as it seeks to destroy the enemy's will to fight by disrupting their entire societal framework.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Total war was notably exemplified during the American Civil War, particularly in campaigns such as Sherman's March to the Sea, where not only military targets were hit, but also civilian infrastructure.
2. The use of total war in the Civil War marked a significant shift in military strategy, where the goal expanded beyond defeating enemy armies to include breaking the will of the civilian population.
3. Total war often leads to high civilian casualties and destruction of property, as seen in cities like Atlanta and Savannah during Sherman's campaign.
4. The concept of total war was influenced by earlier conflicts, but it became more pronounced in the Civil War due to advances in technology and transportation that enabled widespread devastation.
5. The legacy of total war can be seen in later conflicts, where targeting civilian infrastructure became a common practice, raising moral and ethical questions about warfare.

Review Questions

• How did total war strategies change the nature of warfare during the Civil War?
  • Total war strategies fundamentally changed the nature of warfare during the Civil War by shifting focus from just defeating opposing armies to crippling entire societies. Tactics like Sherman's March targeted not only military objectives but also railroads, factories, and civilian homes. This approach aimed to break the spirit of the Confederate populace and reduce their ability to support their troops, making it a comprehensive assault on the enemy's resources and morale.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of total war tactics used in the Civil War compared to traditional warfare methods.
  • Total war tactics used in the Civil War proved more effective than traditional warfare methods in achieving quick victories. By targeting both military forces and civilian infrastructure, Union generals were able to undermine Confederate morale and logistics. The widespread destruction caused by campaigns like Sherman's March demonstrated that traditional strategies were insufficient in addressing a conflict that required total commitment, leading to a swifter end to hostilities.
• Discuss the long-term implications of total war strategies on future conflicts and civilian involvement in warfare.
  • The long-term implications of total war strategies on future conflicts have been profound, as they set a precedent for how wars are conducted. Following the Civil War, conflicts like World Wars I and II saw similar tactics where civilian populations became targets. This shift raised ethical questions about warfare and highlighted the psychological impact on societies involved. Total war blurred lines between military and civilian roles, influencing international laws and norms regarding wartime conduct and protection for non-combatants.

Related terms

Scorched Earth Policy: A military strategy of destroying anything that could be useful to the enemy while advancing through or withdrawing from an area.

Sherman's March to the Sea: A military campaign led by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman during the Civil War, characterized by a devastating march across Georgia aimed at crippling the Confederacy's war effort.

Civilian Targeting: The practice of directly attacking civilian populations and infrastructure as part of a military strategy to weaken an enemy's resolve and capabilities.