Could the idea of a total war have been implemented pre-1800?

The American Civil War was truly one of the first 'modern' wars, in that it brought the idea of a total war: one that crippled the civilian populace of the enemy, and utilized new technologies that would later be used and improved upon in future wars.

Could a total war strategy been implemented in a war before 1800? Technically, the Thirty Years' War could count, but it was mostly chaos and anarchy that brought about much of the destruction.
 

jahenders

Banned
ACW didn't introduce the concept, but may have re-introduced it in the modern age. Many of the ancient empires waged total war at times (Rome, Assyria, Mongols, etc.) -- burn the villages, rape/pillage as part of your pay, enslave the enemy civilians, steal anything that can be moved.

Certainly the Roman destruction of Carthage was total war far more severe than the burning of Atlanta.

The American Civil War was truly one of the first 'modern' wars, in that it brought the idea of a total war: one that crippled the civilian populace of the enemy, and utilized new technologies that would later be used and improved upon in future wars.

Could a total war strategy been implemented in a war before 1800? Technically, the Thirty Years' War could count, but it was mostly chaos and anarchy that brought about much of the destruction.
 
Really the first example of an entire major power being put on a war footing was before 1800: the levee en masse in France in 1793.
 

RousseauX

Donor
The American Civil War was truly one of the first 'modern' wars, in that it brought the idea of a total war: one that crippled the civilian populace of the enemy, and utilized new technologies that would later be used and improved upon in future wars.

Could a total war strategy been implemented in a war before 1800? Technically, the Thirty Years' War could count, but it was mostly chaos and anarchy that brought about much of the destruction.

Yes, the French revolutionary wars were arguably an example of total war for France
 
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