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Total War

Total War is a military strategy that involves mobilizing all of a nation's resources—economic, social, and political—for the war effort. It blurs the lines between combatants and civilians, meaning that civilian infrastructure, industry, and morale become legitimate targets to weaken the enemy. This approach seeks to completely defeat an opponent, often resulting in significant destruction and suffering. Historical examples include the American Civil War and World War II, where nations committed their entire societies to the conflict, leading to profound and lasting impacts on the countries involved and the world at large.

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    Total war is a conflict strategy where a nation mobilizes all its resources—military, economic, and civilian—toward achieving victory, often disregarding the limits of traditional warfare. This approach involves targeting not only enemy combatants but also their economic structures and civilian populations, blurring the lines between soldiers and non-combatants. Total war aims for complete domination and aims to demoralize the enemy, compelling them to surrender. Historical examples include the American Civil War and World War II, where entire countries became battlefields and civilian industries were repurposed for military needs.