World Wars: What defines them?

veryangryman

I mean like what would qualify as WW3?

And did people know that they were in a war during the time? Or do historians just look back and say "yep, alot of fighting and rustling there, definitely war".

Even the start and end points of a war. I mean like Hitler didnt say "Right im starting the war" when he invaded Poland, yet the declaration of war itself was not thought of as the start.

Life is confusing :mad:

Magnate

A world war is a war involving some of the world's most powerful and populous countries. World wars span multiple countries on multiple continents, with battles fought in multiple theatres.

ScumLord

veryangryman wrote: »

And did people know that they were in a war during the time?

WW2, blink and you'll miss it. Of course they knew they were in a war, all the war and things blown to bits around them would have tipped them off pretty quickly. But I see what you mean, what differentiated WW1 from any of the other conflicts that were going on around the place. England and France spent centuries fighting each other without ever really going to war as such. I guess it's just the scale and the fact the big boys are fighting each other on home turf rather than fighting each other on the other side of the planet for the rights to take land off other people.

WW1 was gruesome, people think the Germans were bad during WW2, they were just as bad in the first war, maybe even slightly worse in that they didn't seemed focused on any particular group the way they did in WW2. They just went from town to town murdering anyone they came across. Those kind of atrocities tend to affect everyone and everything by association.

Zebra3

ScumLord wrote: »

WW1 was gruesome, people think the Germans were bad during WW2, they were just as bad in the first war, maybe even slightly worse in that they didn't seemed focused on any particular group the way they did in WW2. They just went from town to town murdering anyone they came across. Those kind of atrocities tend to affect everyone and everything by association.

Which is what the British and French did for a long time before that outside Europe, but those victims don't really count as we all know....

The_Valeyard

Transcontinental involving major powers involving large amounts of destruction and loss of life, where the economies of all those involved are geared towards a total war effort.

Sir Osis of Liver.

" I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but world War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

A.Einstein

GLaDOS

Sir Osis of Liver. wrote: »

" I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but world War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

A.Einstein

They're going to make nuclear sticks and stones? The ****.

ScumLord

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Transcontinental involving major powers involving large amounts of destruction and loss of life, where the economies of all those involved are geared towards a total war effort.

Even when America weren't in the war their economy was fully geared to providing equipment and arms for the conflict.

o1s1n

veryangryman wrote: »

I mean like what would qualify as WW3?

When the ICBMs start flying, I think you'll know.

cloud493

Geographical distinctions I guess? As in, first/second world war had fighting all over the globe, therefore a world war. Whereas a more localised war would be the falklands, franco-prussian war, Vietnam, etc.

Adamantium

No. 1 One Direction Fan wrote: »

They're going to make nuclear sticks and stones? The ****.

Inanimate carbon rods I believe.