The Historical Evolution of Total War

The practice of war has been transformed dramatically due to the economic, political and social developments which appeared sequentially since “the age of revolution,” as historian eric hobsbawm’s expression. in addition to political formation that is based on nation-state conception boosted by 1789 french revolution, economic and technological developments thanks to the industrial revolution of 19th century are milestones of history of civilisation. technological facilities of the industrial revolution increased the state power and its organisational capacity as well as production tremendously. since the end of the 19th century, while the world was approaching a war because of antagonism derived from imperialistic struggles. the state developed highly effective mechanisms to employ the citizens for war efforts. as well as to control and actuate of economic sources, to transform the citizens into soldiers through education and propaganda are the basis of that effectiveness. thereby, it emerged a new kind of war practice that could mobilise all population and economical sources for war effort. that practice was called “total war” and the best versions of that practice are the world wars, especially the second world war. in this article, the emergence of the concept and practice of total war will be analysed in a period from the french revolutionary wars which are based on great facilities of the industrial revolution, to the end of the second world war.