Total war is a concept that views war as an all encompassing function. The person or government which engages in this concept definitely has a win at all cost mindset. This is the most devastating and destructive type of warfare possible because it consumes everything else in its execution.

Total war involves utilizing every available asset to fight the war. This includes civilian, and industrial resources. The best way to understand this concept is to view the war as all important with all else existing to support that war effort. This is the defensive side of total warfare. As you Vietnam War ring customers know, the Viet Cong would not hesitate to sacrifice women and children in their war effort.

We Operation Desert Storm ring customers know how Saddam Hussein leaked oil into the Persian Gulf to deny the Marines access to an amphibious assault.

Those of you who are Iraqi Freedom ring and Enduring Freedom ring customers know how terrorists don't mind using innocents as human shields. It dosen't bother them one bit to kill innocents.

The most prolific incident of total war in American history happened during the US Civil war when General Sherman marched through the South destroying absolutely everything in his path.