Total War Flashcards
What has happened in the past 20 years?
Historians have recognised the role war and conflict playin historical developments
How is the concept of ‘total war’ usually applied by historians?
Describe the nature of the 2 world wars and to differentiate them from other conflicts
Give examples of the first people to use the term.
Ludendorff
Goebbels
Churchill
What has the term been commonly defined as?
A catalyst of far-reaching social change
Who was one of the most influential historians of total war?
Arthur Marwick - established four modes by which the effects of total war could be studied and compared
What are the first 2 of Marwick’s 4 modes?
- Destruction on an unprecedented scale
2. Testing of the existing socio-political structures of states
What are the final 2 of Marwick’s 4 modes?
- Participation of previously disadvantaged groups
4. A colossal psychological experience
How were wars in the 18th century examples of ‘limited war’?
Made up of smaller armies which would manoeuvre with the intention of avoiding rather than engaging in battle
In search of limited political and dynastic aims
Trade between warring states common as bourgeoise didn’t believe war was the destiny of mankind
Name an example of a 17th century war which was very destructive.
30 years war which wiped out 33% of Germany’s urban population
What is an example of a ‘total’ impact from warfare in the 19th century?
Napoleonic wars - nationalism and democracy used to create a mass French citizen army through the introduction of universal male conscription - later copied by Prussia
How did industrialisation add to the concept of a total war?
Train could move larger armies
Machine guns increased the range and killing capacity of European armies
What does ‘total war’ imply?
A wider global conflict than previous wars and a lack of constraint
What did the abandonment of restraints e.g. mustard gas in WW1 and atomic bombs in WW2 suggest about the wider aims of ‘total wars’?
Limited dynastic aims had given way to sweeping territorial gain and the destruction of a state and its peoples
How many people died and were displaced in WW2?
30 million dead (many claim more)
26 million displaced
What social changes did total war bring?
More marriages occurred
Infant mortality declined due to food distribution and increased family income
