Question

Discuss the concept of total war as it was applied during the Civil War and the Indian Wars. What was the philosophy behind total war? Give relevant examples of its application.

Answer 1

1. 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. The goal is not only to decimate but to demoralize the enemy beyond recovery so that they are unable to continue fighting.

Some key points of total war.

(1). Total war is a war fought without limitations on targets or weapons.

(2). Ideological or religious conflicts are more likely to give rise to total war.

(3). Total wars have occurred throughout history and include the third Punic War, the Mongol Invasions, the Crusades, Civil war, Indian wars and the two World Wars.

Definition of total war :- Total war is mainly characterized by the lack of distinction between fighting lawful combatants and civilians. The purpose is to destroy the other contender’s resources so that they are unable to continue to wage war. This might include targeting major infrastructure and blocking access to water, internet, or imports (often through blockades). 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.

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. Smaller conflicts across the globe, such as tribal wars, incorporate aspects of total war by kidnapping, enslaving, and killing civilians. This deliberate targeting of civilians elevates less expansive wars to the level of total war.

A nation waging total war may also impact its own citizens through a mandatory draft, rationing, propaganda, or other efforts deemed necessary to support the war on the home front.

History of total war :- Total war began in the Middle Ages and continued through the two World Wars. While there have long been cultural, religious and political norms expressing who should and should not be targeted in war, there was no international ordinance describing the laws of war until the Geneva Conventions, which created the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Genghis Khan, the 13th-century Mongolian conqueror, followed a strategy of total war. He founded the Mongol Empire, which grew as he and his troops spread across Northeast Asia, seizing cities, and slaughtering large portions of their populations. This prevented uprisings in the defeated cities, as they did not have the human or material resources to rebel. One of the best examples of Khan’s use of this type of warfare is his largest invasion, which was against the Khwarazmian Empire. 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.

This "scorched earth" policy holds that the best way to win a war is to ensure that the opposition cannot mount a second attack.

American civil war :- During the American Civil War, Union Army General Philip Sheridan's stripping of the Shenandoah Valley, beginning on September 21, 1864 and continuing for two weeks, was considered "total war". Its purpose was to eliminate food and supplies vital to the South's military operations, as well as to strike a blow at Southern civilian morale. Sheridan took the opportunity when he realized opposing forces had become too weak to resist his army.

Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman's 'March to the Sea' in November and December 1864 destroyed the resources required for the South to make war. General Ulysses S. Grant and President Abraham Lincoln initially opposed the plan until Sherman convinced them of its necessity.

Scholars taking issue with the notion that Sherman was employing "total war" include Noah Andre Trudeau. Trudeau believes that Sherman's goals and methods do not meet the definition of total war and to suggest as much is to "misread Sherman's intentions and to misunderstand the results of what happened".