Carl von Clausewitz, a 19th-century Prussian military strategist, discussed the concept of total war in his writings Vom Kriege (On War).With the objective to reduce the capability of the enemy to continue fighting, all of the available resources of society could be mobilised and warfare is prioritised over non-combatant needs. Total war is a warfare in which nations utilise any means necessary in order to destroy another nation's ability to engage in war.The possibility of total devastation that could result from the usage of new weapons and the adoption of the International Humanitarian Law restrain nations in participating in total war scenarios.
The two World Wars of the 20th century are usually regarded as the most total of history's wars. Elements of total war include mobilisation, extermination of the enemy, blurring of roles between soldiers and civilians, total control of society, use of various weaponries, and the targeting of civilians. Although its concept was first introduced in the 19th and 20th centuries, it had been observed in early conflicts.
