Search

1. Definition Scholars have debated the meaning of both “colonialism” and “imperialism.” Some regard colonialism as a form of imperialism, but others make a chronological distinction, relating colonialism to the period of mercantilist European empires up to the end of the 18th century and then arguing that it was absorbed by modern imperialism with the rise of the industrial revolution and capitalism. Though both concepts are imprecise, no better alternatives are apparent. In what follows we reject the chronological distinction on the ground that it can hardly do ju…

From a European War to World War “This war will develop into a world war in which even England will engage. Only a few could form an idea of the beginning, the duration, and the end of this war. How this all should end, nobody can foresee today.”1 General Staff Chief Helmuth von Moltke confronted his adjutants with these words on the night of July 31, 1914, immediately before the outbreak of war, intimating that he regarded the approaching conflict as a world war from the very first. In his apprehension, Moltke in no wise stood alone. At lea…

Total War This expression first appeared in the French press in 1917 as la guerre totale, meant to stir the French to their ultimate war effort. “Total war” and related expressions played a major role in international discussions concerning military policy in the 1920s and 1930s. The Italian General Giulio Douhet and German General Erich Ludendorff in particular promoted total war as the warfare of the future. In the Second World War the call for total war became a thoroughly universal phenomenon. Joseph Goebb…