Total war

This mobilisation developed into total war: the economy and civilian population were increasingly expected to serve the war effort. Goebbels publicly called for total war in February 1943. Higher production could not remove Germany's resource shortages, reverse military defeats or prevent the growing destruction of its industrial system.

Total war involves mobilising a country's civilian labour and economic resources as well as its armed forces. The Second World War illustrates why putting everyone into uniform would not necessarily strengthen an army: troops also depended on essential work being done at home.

Total war meant directing labour, production and resources towards military victory. Civilian needs and leisure became less important than producing weapons and maintaining the armed forces. Activities considered unnecessary to the war effort, including professional sport and many leisure activities, were curtailed.

Soldiers needed weapons, ammunition, food and transport, all supplied through work at home. This was total war: the civilian population and the economy became essential to the fighting effort.