Total war is a term that has been used to describe the use of military force and economic and population resources in pursuit of victory in war. It is a concept first recognized by philosophers and historians in the late 18th century and has evolved over the centuries as it has been applied to real-world conflicts. This article will examine the concept of total war from a historical perspective, exploring its development and application in various conflicts throughout history.
What is Total War?
Total war is a concept used to describe warfare which involves all of the resources of a nation and its citizens. The phrase was first used by the Prussian military theorist Karl von Clausewitz in the 18th century and was defined by him as “war that permits no exceptions” and “a kind of war which knows no limits.” Clausewitz believed that total war was necessary in order to win a conflict, and this notion has been accepted by many strategic thinkers throughout the centuries since then.
Total war is typically used in reference to a form of warfare which involves the use of all available resources in pursuit of victory. This includes the application of military technology, economic assets, population resources, and political and diplomatic pressures. Total war is distinct from limited war, which occurs when military operations are limited in scale and duration due to political or economic restraints.
The Development and Application of Total War
The notion of total war has evolved over the centuries, as various conflicts have demonstrated different aspects of the concept. Russian military theorist Jacob Moltke first referred to the concept of total war in the 19th century, in order to explain the necessity of mobilizing all available resources in pursuit of victory in the Franco-Prussian War. This notion was further developed by German strategist Helmuth von Moltke the Elder during World War I, who believed that total war was necessary to win a conflict. His ideas were further refined by British thinker Basil Liddell Hart in the 1920s and 1930s, who argued for an increased emphasis on psychological warfare in pursuit of total victory.
During World War II, the concept of total war was developed even further by American strategic thinker Bernard Brodie, who argued for the use of nuclear weapons in order to bring about a devastating end to the conflict. After the war, this concept was applied to other forms of warfare, such as economic blockades, covert operations, and psychological warfare. It has also been used to explain the asymmetrical warfare which involves the targeting of civilian populations, as seen in conflicts such as the Vietnam War and the Arab-Israeli Wars.
The concept of total war has also been applied in reference to non-military conflicts. For instance, the term has been used to describe the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, as both sides engaged in a propaganda war of words and a massive nuclear arms race. It has also been used in reference to the “War on Terror” which has been waged in the aftermath of 9/11.
The Impact of Total War
Total war is a concept which has had a tremendous impact on the course of history, with some arguing that its use has changed the nature of warfare as we know it. By its nature, total war engages all available resources of a nation and its citizens, leading to a dramatic increase in the frequency and scale of conflicts. This has led to an increased emphasis on the use of technology in warfare, as well as an increased emphasis on the use of covert operations, propaganda and psychological warfare.
The concept of total war has also had an impact on the tactics of warfare. For instance, the targeting of civilian populations during conflict has become more common and is now considered a valid strategy for attaining victory. The increased use of technology, such as aerial bombardment and nuclear weapons, has drastically changed the battlefield and has greatly reduced casualties in some conflicts.
Total war is a concept which has been described, applied, and developed throughout the centuries. It is a concept which has had a great impact on both military strategy and the history of warfare, as it has led to an increased reliance on technology and tactics which target civilian populations. It has also had a tremendous impact on the tactics of warfare, with some arguing that it has changed the nature of warfare as we know it. As conflicts and strategies evolve, so too will the concept of total war and its application to modern conflicts.
