Total war is a military conflict in which nations mobilize all available resources in order to destroy another nation's ability to engage in war. (New World Encyclopedia) Total war has been practiced for centuries, but outright total warfare was first demonstrated in the nineteenth century and flourished with conflicts in the twentieth century. (New World Encyclopedia) When one side of a conflict participates in total war, they dedicate not only their military to victory, but the civilian population still at home to working for victory as well. (New World Encyclopedia) It becomes an ideological state of mind for those involved, and therefore, represents a very dangerous methodology, for the losses are great whether they win or lose. (New World
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(Perry, page 432) Almost the whole of Europe mobilized to wage World War I. (New World Encyclopedia) In order to release men for military service, women in England, France, Germany, and later the United States, responded to their countries’ wartime needs. (Perry, page 432) They took jobs in munitions factories, worked on farms, and drove ambulances, mail trucks, and buses. (Perry, page 432) They worked as nurses, laboratory assistants, plumbers’ helper, and bank clerks. (Perry, page 432) By performing effectively in jobs formerly carried out by men, women demonstrated that they had an essential role to play in their countries’ economic life. (Perry, page 432) After the failure of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the large British offensive in March 1915, the British Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Sir John French claimed that it failed because of a lack of shells. (New World Encyclopedia) This led to the Shell Crisis of 1915, which brought down the Liberal British government under the Premiership of H.H. Asquith. (New World Encyclopedia) He formed a new coalition government dominated by Liberals and appointed Lloyd George as Minister of Munitions. (New World Encyclopedia) It was a recognition that the whole economy would have to be geared for war if the Allies were to prevail on the Western Front. (New World
(Perry, page 432) Almost the whole of Europe mobilized to wage World War I. (New World Encyclopedia) In order to release men for military service, women in England, France, Germany, and later the United States, responded to their countries’ wartime needs. (Perry, page 432) They took jobs in munitions factories, worked on farms, and drove ambulances, mail trucks, and buses. (Perry, page 432) They worked as nurses, laboratory assistants, plumbers’ helper, and bank clerks. (Perry, page 432) By performing effectively in jobs formerly carried out by men, women demonstrated that they had an essential role to play in their countries’ economic life. (Perry, page 432) After the failure of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the large British offensive in March 1915, the British Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Sir John French claimed that it failed because of a lack of shells. (New World Encyclopedia) This led to the Shell Crisis of 1915, which brought down the Liberal British government under the Premiership of H.H. Asquith. (New World Encyclopedia) He formed a new coalition government dominated by Liberals and appointed Lloyd George as Minister of Munitions. (New World Encyclopedia) It was a recognition that the whole economy would have to be geared for war if the Allies were to prevail on the Western Front. (New World