Question

How did the experience of total war affect social and political patterns after the wars ended?

Answer 1

When a country or nation is in a state of "total war," then the country or nations resources (materials, workers, institutions, finances, etc) are dedicated to the war effort.  In many cases, in a state of "total war" even a country's laws are ofter suspended to some degree,  In the aftermath of a "total war," a country or nation often struggles to return back to a pre total war state.  Social patterns are often unsettled due to citizens having had to work for a period of time in a military capacity, hence some citizens will struggle to return to the lives they had previously lived.  In terms of political patterns, laws and political powers are often restricted during a time of total war, hence there are usually difficulties with returning a democratic nation or country back to partial or total civilian control.