World War I was considered a total war for several reasons:
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Mobilization of Entire Nations: Involved countries mobilized not just their armies but their entire societies. This included conscription of soldiers, as well as the use of civilians in various war-related activities, from manufacturing to agriculture.
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Economic Control: Governments took control of economic resources to support the war effort. This included converting industries to produce war materials, controlling food supplies, and regulating prices. National economies were geared towards sustaining prolonged warfare.
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Propaganda: States used propaganda to maintain public support for the war and to boost morale among troops and civilians. Propaganda campaigns were designed to demonize the enemy and glorify the national cause, making the war a symbol of national pride.
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Impact on Civilians: Civilians were directly affected by military actions, as many battles were fought near populated areas, and bombings targeted civilian infrastructure. Many nations faced food shortages, rationing, and economic hardship as a result of the war effort.
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Involvement of Colonies: Many countries involved in the war utilized their colonies to provide troops and resources, expanding the conflict's reach. This global involvement further blurred the lines between combatants and non-combatants.
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Technological Advancements: The war saw the use of advanced technologies, including airplanes, tanks, and chemical weapons, which changed the nature of warfare and increased the scale and impact of the conflict.
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Totalitarian Aspects: In some countries, states adopted more authoritarian methods of governance, curtailing civil liberties in the name of the war effort. This can be seen in censorship, surveillance, and the suppression of dissent.
These factors combined illustrate how World War I extended beyond traditional battlefield confrontations, impacting all aspects of society and marking it as a total war.