Napoleonic Wars to What Extent

Napoleonic Wars To what extent and in what ways can the Napoleonic Wars be considered total wars? The Napoleonic wars are considered total wars in the way that they were fought. Where, his armies would use various tactics and techniques to advance the cavalry well ahead of their supply lines. The idea was to take the fight to the enemy with: overwhelming speed and superiority. At the same time, the army would live off of the land and what they could forage.

However, beneath this basic definition, it is clear that there are other factors that are considered to be a part of total war these include: the use of ideology / religion, how this directly involves the civilian population and how it influenced gender relations. The different ideologies and religious views will have an impact upon: how soldiers as well as civilians viewed the actions of the government. As they are utilized to: unite everyone behind one single cause for a greater purpose.

Once this takes place, it means that support for the conflict will increase; with these two groups working together, to help achieve the larger overall objectives. This is important, because it is showing how various ideologies (such as: nationalism and religion) are utilized to help unite everyone behind one single cause. (Blaufarb 30 -- 54) The war would have a dramatic impact upon civilian life. Where, it took the able men in various towns and villages, in order to fill the ranks of the army.

This created short-term labor shortages, by reducing the amount of skilled craftsman. Over the long-term, this would have an impact upon the social fabric of the community, by returning these men to their homes either: physically / mentally injured or dead. In either case, the community is robbed of its natural pool of talent during and after the war. This has a psychological impact upon these communities, as they only see the negative effects of the war on their lives.

(Blaufarb 76-101) Part of the reason why the civilian population was drawn in was into war was: the willingness to protect their homes. Where, local communities felt an obligation to defend their way of life and traditions. When this occurs, the individual will have an obligation to defend their family and their culture. This is important, because it is showing how a sense of loyalty to someone's ethnic background, will affect if they will be influenced to support the actions of a particular side.

(Blaufarb 30 -- 54) At the same time, the war had a negative economic impact upon these areas. In this case, civilians could see their homes and their way of life destroyed (because of the continuous fighting that was taking place). This is troubling, because it would mean that many individuals had difficulty maintaining their standards of living and earning an income (to provide for their families). As they would find their communities devastated, from the total sacrifice that everyone made (in one way or another).

At which point, this would affect how someone was able to earn a living, by having limited opportunities (from all of the fighting). (Blaufarb 76-101) Gender would determine how someone viewed themselves in society. This is because, male domination would have an impact upon the way soldiers and civilians were acting. Where, the males often engaged in actions that were seen as disrespectful to women, by openly having mistresses (while being married to their wives).

At which point, they (the women) would seek out their own lovers (in an effort to address these feelings of rejection). Part of this for this, is because of the belief in society that men were allowed to.