Total war

From Encyc

A total war is a type of war where the whole nation is involved. The economy becomes geared towards war, and both sides may make attacks on civilians such as in strategic bombing or the use of atomic bombs as a means to disrupt production and destroy morale. Other methods used in total war can be chemical or biological warfare.

Some societies take the concept of total war beyond declared conventional wars, and resort to terrorism even during times of peace.