Final answer:
Total war is a conflict where all resources are mobilized and there is no distinction between military and civilian targets. It has been a feature of many conflicts, aiming to disrupt and demoralize societies but often resulting in stiffened resolve and prolonged warfare. Recent technological advances and globalization have extended the reach of warfare to affect civilians worldwide.
Step-by-step explanation:
Total war is when everyone, not just soldiers, becomes a target for attack. This includes a state of war in which the government does not distinguish between military and civilian targets, and all resources are mobilized, extending into all areas of citizens' lives. During such conflicts, cities and civilian populations may be targeted in efforts to weaken the enemy's morale, disrupt economic production, or break their resolve to fight on. An example of this can be found in the strategies employed during World War II, where bombing campaigns often did not differentiate between civilian and military targets.
In more contemporary conflicts, such as in Southeast Asia or through the acts of terrorism witnessed around the turn of the 21st century, civilians often find themselves directly in harm's way, reflecting the changing nature of warfare and aggression. The traditional battlefield has expanded, and with advances in technology, hostile actions now frequently engulf non-combatants. This strategic shift underscores a grim reality: in modern warfare, no one is immune from danger, affecting societies and countries on a global scale.
The concept of total war, while it might aim to bring a swift end to conflict by demoralizing an enemy, often fails to achieve this goal. Rather, as suggested by LibreTexts, targeting civilians can instead stiffen a country's resolve, and provoke a cycle of retaliation and prolonged conflict. Historically, this approach has sometimes led to catastrophic consequences, devastating civilian populations and reshaping the very nature of international conflict.