Question

How is total war different than most wars fought before WWI?

Answer 1

Wars in the past, usually ended with a series of decisive battles, rather than prolonged warfare. ... What Total War pursues, is the complete annihilation of the enemy by any means necessary, this could be from exterminating the entire other faction, to just nuking some cities and be done with the war.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Total war arose out of the French Revolutionary Wars, when France directed that all of its population, resources and finances be focused on the war effort. In previous conflicts, mobilization to this level was infrequent and usually impossible. Only a modern state with a functioning bureaucracy could achieve it.

I hope I helped!