How did propaganda and nationalism mobilize the civilan population in support of "total war"?

Question

Modern World History

Answer 1

The war in Iraq is not a "total war", so that may not be a great example for your teacher.
I teach college world history. This is a good question.
The Nazi's did have one of the best propaganda machines in history convincing Germans that the war was necessary for their very survival as a nation and a people - a 'superior people' at that (something populations may want to hear - the "we're number one" or "we are the greatest" mentality).
Nationalism grew in Europe during the 1800s and became a driving force leading to the first "World War". Germans had thought of themselves as Bavarians or Württembergers first and Germans second until the German states were unified under Prussia in 1871. Nationalism coupled with intense pride can lead to major trouble - such as war.
Propaganda merely needs to feed on the desire of the people to feel special, gifted, or entitled to more of everything and the best of everything in terms of the world's resources. War is a means to gain "more" of the world, and total war is a willingness to sacrifice all to achieve those ends. Japan in World War II was willing to defend the homeland to the last man, woman , and child fighting with spears if necessary should America and the Allies invade. Propaganda was used in Japan to convince the people that Americans would commit horrible atrocities on men, women, and children, so they might as well go down fighting to the end or commit suicide by jumping off of cliffs as they did at Saipan.

Answer 2

By means of fostering lies and hatred towards the enemy.
The master of this was Hitler's Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebells.
Many of his techniques are used by governments today.
He said "A lie told once remains a lie but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth".
We saw this in action when the Americans were trying to justify the invasion of Iraq.