Why is World War I often considered a prime example of total war?

Question

Responses
A It was an industrial war.It was an industrial war.
B Propaganda was used effectively.Propaganda was used effectively.
C It was fought only on one continent.It was fought only on one continent.
D Citizens were targeted during combat

Answer 1

World War I is often considered a prime example of total war for several reasons, but the most fitting response among the options provided is:

A It was an industrial war. It was an industrial war.

Total war involves the complete mobilization of resources and people, and in World War I, industrialization played a crucial role in the scale and impact of the war. The economies of the participating nations were fully devoted to the war effort, and technology was leveraged to increase the destructive capabilities of armies. This included the mass production of weapons, the use of chemical warfare, and the mobilization of civilian resources to support military operations. While propaganda (B) was indeed an important aspect and citizens were increasingly affected by the war, the defining characteristic of total war is the extensive utilization of industrial capabilities.

Option D is less applicable, as while civilians were affected, they were not directly targeted as in some later conflicts. Option C is not a valid argument for total war since the war was not limited to one continent; it involved numerous countries across multiple continents.