The total war strategy is characterized by the complete mobilization of resources and the targeting of civilian infrastructure in addition to military objectives. Among the campaigns you mentioned, two are notable examples of total war:
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Sherman’s March to the Sea - This campaign, conducted by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman during the American Civil War in late 1864, is a classic example of total war. Sherman aimed to break the will of the Southern states by destroying not only Confederate military targets but also infrastructure and civilian resources that supported the war effort, such as supply lines, railroads, and farms.
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Siege of Petersburg - While the Siege of Petersburg involved traditional military tactics, it also included elements of total war, particularly in terms of attrition and the destruction of supply sources. However, it is not typically framed as a total war campaign in the same way as Sherman’s March.
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Shenandoah Valley Campaign - This campaign, notably led by General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson in 1862, focused on maneuvering and securing key terrain and resources rather than the broader scope of total war, though it involved significant military action and logistics.
In conclusion, the most definitive example of total war from your list is Sherman’s March to the Sea. The Siege of Petersburg could also be discussed in the context of total war, while the Shenandoah Valley Campaign does not fit the total war model as closely.
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