What is a Civil War?

A Civil War is a war in which factions from the same nation, area, culture or society fight for control of an area or for political power. It is a violent struggle for power. During the American Civil War, one part of the nation tried to break away, while the other tried to prevent its succession, causing armies from both sides to clash.

A Civil War can be considered a revolution if major restructuring of the society takes place, such as during the American Revolution. Revolutions are usually fought over issues of ideology. The first example of a revolution was the French Revolution, which pitted the poor people of France against the monarchy.

Civil Wars can be fought over religion, such as during Germany's Thirty Years' War and in the conflicts in Northern Ireland. Competition for resources or economic gain is a frequent cause of Civil Wars.

Putting a society back together after a Civil War can be difficult, since both parties will still be occupying the same areas. Both factions must learn to coexist with each other once again. There can be hard feelings for many generations.