It's one of the most common themes in human history, and as such, has been the focal point of many major aspects of the human condition, our cultures, and even the stories that we tell. The English Civil War was fought from 1642 through 1651. Although it would be the first, and to date the only, actual use of such weapons of "mass destruction," the mushroom clouds have hung over every military and political policy since. The war ended with U.S. withdrawal in 1974 and the signing of a peace accord. Siege of Troy (1190 BC) Rivalries between him and other leading Romans led Caesar to illegally bring his armies across the Rubicon River into the heart of Roman territory. If you've heard this, then you already know one of the most impressive genetic effects that the wars have sparked. I don't know why I wrote that as though it should come as a surprise. Let's explore some of the biggest wars that left the greatest impact on history. This war started due to numerous factors. The longest wars in human history raged for hundreds of years. This is what happens when countries encounter battles, and nations encounter wars. In fact, many of these wars still stir hatred and strife today. Humans are a violent species. It involved the United States and South Korea backed by the United Nations against communist North Korea. Their overthrow of the monarchy in 1791 led to one of the most notorious wars in European history. Behind this were many factors, including enslavement, state's rights, and political power. A brilliant tactician, his strategies are still regularly studied by aspiring generals today. To learn more about the largest air-to-air battles in military history, view the infographic below. Tragedies and atrocities were documented all over. What made the Crusades important, though, weren't the lives lost. This battle marked the downfall of Hannibal, one of history's most famous and daring generals. Military conflict took place during every year of the 20th Century. Civil war ensued. In 2003, another American-led coalition invaded Iraq. Many people believe that World War II was the last "noble war" America fought; had Hitler won, the world would have seen even more millions slaughtered senselessly. Marked by Hitler's Holocaust and mass deaths, World War II changed world politics forever It was fought over Cuba, because the U.S. thought Spain was treating this island nation unfairly. Both wars foreshadow the next two centuries of tenuous relations between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples. In the early sixth century, Berbers from Libya sailed up into Spain and started claiming land for the Ummayad Dynasty. 45 1939 Outbreak of Second Worldd War: 50 million die worldwide from 1939-45 in the world’s largest and most deadly conflict, which ends the long age of imperialisms. The Crusades instilled a long-lasting, bitter tension between Europe and the Middle East; the effects of which can still be felt today. The official break-up came on July 4, 1776, with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. One of the first was known as the Pequot War, which lasted two years, from 1636 through 1638. This, too, was a battle over Indigenous peoples' right to lands being inhabited by settlers. The years were filled with a multitude of smaller wars but ended with a French victory. By 1964, the U.S. forces were under attack by the North Vietnamese. Notably, the Holocaust alone resulted in over 11 million people killed, including 6 million Jewish people. We can't talk about the most important wars in human history without talking about World War II. 2. Many similar revolutions occurred in China, Romania, and other monarchic areas. World War II was the greatest conflict in history, carried out on a scale almost impossible to grasp. In the New World during the 17th century, battles were raging … His mental stability was called into question, leading to the Wars of the Roses just a few years later. A primer on the major wars that shaped the modern world 01. What would become known as World War II saw fighting on a scale like never before. Perhaps the most romanticized bunch of wars ever to be fought, they ended up being the cornerstone of a large amount of classical literature, that's still referenced today. Aided by foggy, snowy weather, the Germans penetrated 65 … The other cause was the sinking of the USS Maine, and though many battles took place on land, the Americans claimed many victories at sea. Politically Incorrect Vietnam War Slang Terms. This, in turn, helped spark the changes that created the Rennaissance. A weakened global economy and the Great Depression, and Hitler and Mussolini's rise to power, were chief among them. Additionally, World War II sparked a number of conventions and treaties to try to lessen the chances of genocide and civilian damage. Prior to the American Revolution, rebellion against a massive empire was just not something that was done. Ghengis Khan's war strategies are still studied by up-and-coming generals today, and while the technology may have changed, his tactics have not. However, war's ability to change the world has stayed the same. Powered by Vocal © 2020 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved. In the sixth century, the Muslim armies were on a roll, toppling local superpowers and claiming huge swaths of land. This became an era of global conflict and it started in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I. It was also known as the War Between the States or simply just the Civil War. They were the largest Christian-led holy wars in human history. America had nothing to so in napoleonic wars. The Eighty Years' War, also known as the Dutch Revolt, spanned a period of 80 years between 1568 and 1648. The result of this brief conflict was American control over the Philippines and Guam. This left the country split in two with a communist government taking over the north. Perhaps some of the most famous wars in human history are the Trojan Wars, which took place in Ancient Greece. We're inclined to agree. The cause of the civil war lies in the … Troy’s siege has been listed as one of the iconic legendary battles in the history of Greek... 2. Guess where they picked that up from? It was a war between matching legions armed with swords, javelins, and shields, supported by local auxiliaries. The Korean War is seen by many as one of the numerous conflicts of the Cold War. One of the shortest wars in American history, the Spanish-American War lasted only from April through August of 1898. Mobutu Sese Seko, and ethnic strife between Hutu and Tutsi peoples were direct contributing factors to the Second Congo War (also called the Great War in Africa or Africa’s First World War because of its scope and destructiveness). Since the dawn of time, wars and battles have had a significant impact on the course of history. It all ended with the Treaty of Hartford in 1638 and the English claiming victory. What began as the French and Indian War in 1754 between the British and French armies escalated into what many see as the first global war. The horse was bought by the army in 1868 and it was ridden by Captain Myles Keogh of 7th Cavalry. This was the most treacherous battle in world history in terms of the death toll... 3. The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images / Getty Images, 10 of the Most Influential Presidents of the United States, The French & Indian War/The Seven Years' War: An Overview, Presidents During Each of the Major American Wars, Philippine-American War: Causes and Consequences, The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, The Role of France in the American Revolutionary War, The French and Indian War and The Seven Years' War, M.S., Information and Library Science, Drexel University, B.A., History and Political Science, Pennsylvania State University. Even the anti-British protests that were started by India in the 1940s were loosely modeled or inspired by the American Revolution. While Europe was busy dealing with a 5'4" conqueror, the United States was able to economically flourish in isolation. This struggle would shape the future of the country. In 49 BC, Julius Caesar was one of the most powerful men in the world. However, the rebellion grew stronger and, in 1572, the rebels conquered Brielle, proving a major defeat to Spain. It was a conflict of power grabbing between King Charles I (r. 1625–1649) and Parliament. The Napoleonic Wars began in 1803. These measures generated resentment among colonists and led to a buildup of tension between the American colonies and the British Empire. 44 1918 End of the First World War. The estimated number of deaths attributed to this war reached 80 million, and to date, it's the only war that has involved nuclear weapons during fights. The American Revolutionary War was kicked off by the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Talk of independence in the American colonies had been brewing for some time. The new U.S. armies fought well and even attempted to invade parts of Canada. It started as British colonies pushed west in North America. From the rout at Marathon to the Siege of Stalingrad, here are some of the most epic and significant battles in history. The history of the human race is always moving forward. When he's not hitting up a local Zumba class, he's drinking organic smoothies. While the previous century had a good deal of conflict, no one could predict what the 20th century had in store. The French Revolution began in 1789 after famine, excess taxes, and a financial crisis hit the common people of France. At times, it literally pitted family members against each other as North and South fought hard battles. You might not have been born if Ghenghis didn't Khan around, catch our drift? Other wars may have been more lethal but lack credible records. Major players:American colonists, British Parliament Tools of the trade (war):Tea "Taxation without representation." The conquests, which were all started by Genghis Khan, made the Mongol Empire one of the largest the world has ever seen. It is hard to imagine the devastation that could take place in six short years. This conflict became known as the Iraq War and led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein (served 1979–2003)'s government. World War II was truly a global war, touching every continent and country in some way. The Dutch sided with the Pequots and the English with the Mohegans. Today, Latin Americans are known for being Spanish-speaking, Catholic, and for loving sangria. The battles stretched beyond the Texas borders, reaching all the way to the California coast. Most people know that, post-revolution, Russia became a communist state. That's possibly why so many war-themed games involving WWII characters, and why WWII-era comic heroes like Captain America still remain so popular today. Though a ceasefire was declared shortly after, the conflicts did not stop. Of conventions and treaties to try to lessen the chances of genocide and civilian damage 1789 famine. 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