• Total War is when a nation's entire industrial power and workforce is dedicated to the war effort and the conflict affects almost all aspects of civilian life.
• During a Total War the conflict affects the entire continent and sometimes even the entire world (due to colonies being dragged into the conflict for example).
• Propaganda, large-scale conscription or enlisting, and great spendings for the military are several signs of total war.
• For example, during the first and second World Wars, there was total war, the Great War being the real first example of total war in Europe.