Discussion  What do you think the expression total war means? A war using all available weaponry and resources, which targets everything related to the enemy. It is an unlimited war involving all sectors of society.

Discussion  How might total war differ from other types of war? it would be more extreme and destructive. Other types of warfare might have more specific targets or more limited goals.

Widening of the War  Involvement of other nations: As the war dragged on, both sides sought new allies. Bulgaria joined the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Italy joined the Allied Powers of France, Russia, and Great Britain.  War outside Europe: The war became a world conflict, with Britain defeating the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East and Japan and Australia seizing German colonies in the Pacific.  Entry of the United States: After Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in the Atlantic despite strong U.S. protests, the United States joined the Allied Powers in April 1917.

Discussion  How did the German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare lead to the entry of the United States into the war? The United States protested this policy. When the Germans resumed it in 1917 to blockade Great Britain, the United States joined the Allied Powers.

Background  T. E. Lawrence (1888–1935), better known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British scholar, military leader, and author. He is best known for his military activities during World War I, in which he led the Arabs in a guerrilla campaign against Ottoman control. A brilliant military strategist and inspirational leader, Lawrence has become a legendary figure. He wrote about his exploits during the Arab revolt in The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Total War  Increased government powers: As the war dragged on, governments drafted millions of soldiers into the military. They also took over wartime economies, setting up wage, price, and rent controls; rationing food and supplies; and seizing transportation systems and industries. All citizens became viewed as participants in the war effort.  Police powers and propaganda: As casualties increased, governments faced growing opposition to the war. Some regimes used force to crush dissent. Others used censorship and propaganda to quiet the opposition and build support for the war effort.

Discussion  Why might a war of attrition lead to a total war? A long war of attrition with heavy casualties could become increasingly unpopular. As the war dragged on, opposition to the war could grow. Governments might need to increase their powers to find enough troops to fight, to force businesses and industries to support the war effort, and to silence opposition. Propaganda might be needed to build morale.

Women and the War  New occupations: With many men fighting at the front, women took over jobs that had not been available to them before—in businesses, on farms, and in heavy industry.  Loss of jobs at war's end: The place of women in the workforce, however, was not secure. At the end of the war, men returned to their old jobs, leaving many women unemployed.  Social and political gains: The roles women played in wartime had a lasting impact, resulting in important gains for women's rights. Soon after the war women won the right to vote in the United States, Britain, Germany, and Austria.

Discussion  Why do you think many women were granted the right to vote following World War I? Women had filled in for men at work and proved that they could do jobs that had traditionally been done by men.

Discussion  How do you think a total war affected business and factory owners? Newspaper reporters? Women? Children? Many business and factory owners lost control of their businesses to governments; newspaper reporters were limited by censorship and propaganda.