World War I

Other than the fact that World War I involved so many different nations, what else qualifies it as a “total war?” Do you think this was the world’s first “total war?” Why or why not?

We can define a total war as a war that involved everyone (or practically everyone) in a country.  In other words, it is not just a war that is fought by soldiers and that only affects them.  Instead, it is a war that impacts everyone in the belligerent countries.

1. World War I was a ‘total war’ as civilian societies, economies and labour were all seconded to the war effort.
2. Britain’s Defence of the Realm Act gave its leaders extensive powers to reduce threats and harness the economy.
3. A critical shortage of artillery shells in 1915 led to a change in government and new measures to increase production.
4. In Germany, production was taken over by high-ranking officers, who reorganised industries and conscripted labour.
5. There were also dramatic increases in French military production, which exceeded that of the other Allies. Unlike in Britain, production was largely left to private companies working to fulfil government contracts.

We can write this or a similar paper for you! Simply fill the order form!