We review and elaborate on properties of the string tension in
two-dimensional gauge theories. The first model we consider is massive QED in
the m≪e limit. We evaluate the leading string tension both in the
fermionic and bosonized descriptions. We discuss the next to leading
corrections in m/e. The next-to-leading terms in the long distance behavior
of the quark-antiquark potential, are evaluated in a certain region of external
versus dynamical charges. The finite temperature behavior is also determined.
In QCD2​ we review the results for the string tension of quarks in cases with
dynamical quarks in the fundamental, adjoint, symmetric and antisymmetric
representations. The screening nature of SYM2​ is re-derived.Comment: 25 pages, Latex. v2: several changes, mainly in section