What distinguishes total war from limited war?

Total war is characterized by the complete mobilization of a nation's resources and efforts to achieve an unconditional victory over its opponent. This means that everything from military, economic, to civilian resources is aligned towards the war effort, often disregarding the boundaries of conventional warfare. The objective in total war is absolute defeat of the enemy, leading to the dismantling of its military capabilities and often its ability to govern.

This is in contrast to limited war, where the goals might be more restrained, focusing on achieving specific objectives rather than total domination. Limited war often involves the use of restricted force and can be waged through various means without necessitating the complete mobilization of a nation’s resources.

Thus, the essence of total war is its commitment to achieving an all-encompassing victory by any means necessary, while limited war operates within constraints, either in terms of objectives, methods, or the extent of mobilization.