History of Civil war in Timeline

A civil war is defined as an armed conflict between organized groups within the same country. The objectives of the warring parties can vary significantly, encompassing goals such as seizing national or regional control, achieving regional independence, or altering governmental policies. The term 'civil war' originates from the Latin phrase 'bellum civile,' which was historically used to describe the civil wars of the Roman Republic.

1900: Civil War characteristics between 1900-1944

Between 1900 and 1944, civil wars were short, averaging one and a half years, and were typically fought for control of the state.

1900: Average Length of Civil Wars (1900-1944)

From 1900 to 1944, the average length of civil wars was about one and a half years.

1936: Start of the Spanish Civil War

In 1936, the Spanish Civil War began, becoming exceptional due to support from intervening great powers like Germany, Italy, and Portugal for Franco, and France and the Soviet Union for the government.

1939: End of the Spanish Civil War

In 1939, the Spanish Civil War ended, being exceptional due to support from intervening great powers like Germany, Italy, and Portugal for Franco, and France and the Soviet Union for the government.

1944: End of period for civil war average length calculation

By 1944, civil wars averaged one and a half years.

1944: Civil war statistics from 1944-1997

From 1944 to 1997, based on a 1,000-casualties-per-year criterion, there were 104 civil wars.

1944: Civil War characteristics until 1944

Until 1944, civil wars were short, averaging one and a half years, and were typically fought for control of the state.

1945: Post-World War II Increase in Civil War Duration

After World War II, the number of ongoing civil wars drastically rose because the average duration of civil wars tripled to over four years, due to increased number of states and the Cold War rivalry.

1945: Civil war statistics from 1945-2007

Between 1945 and 2007, using a less-stringent 1,000 casualties total criterion, there were over 90 civil wars, with 20 ongoing as of 2007.

1945: Post-WWII Increase of Civil Wars Due to Ex-Colonial States

Following World War II, the major European powers divested themselves of their colonies at an increasing rate, increasing the post-World War II incidence of civil wars.

1945: Change in International Norms After WWII

In the wake of World War II, international norms toward sovereignty changed, supporting and maintaining the existence of weak states through diplomatic recognition and development aid.

1945: Post-WWII Civil War Deaths

Since 1945, civil wars have resulted in over 25 million deaths and the displacement of millions more, leading to economic collapse in countries like Somalia, Burma (Myanmar), Uganda, and Angola.

1945: Increase in International Intervention

Since 1945, there has been a significant increase in international intervention in civil wars. Some argue that these interventions have prolonged the conflicts.

1946: Start of the Greek Civil War

In 1946, the Greek Civil War (1946–1949) began shortly after the end of World War II, pitting the communist-dominated Democratic Army of Greece against the Kingdom of Greece.

1947: Start of the Cold War

In 1947, The Cold War began (1947-1991), providing a global network of material and ideological support that often helped perpetuate civil wars, mainly fought in weak ex-colonial states.

1949: End of the Greek Civil War

In 1949, the Greek Civil War ended. The conflict saw the communist-dominated Democratic Army of Greece, supported by Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, opposing the Kingdom of Greece, which was backed by the United Kingdom and the United States under the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan.

1960: Start of the Collier-Hoeffler Model Study Period

From 1960 to 1999, a World Bank team carried out a comprehensive study of civil war, that examined 78 five-year increments when civil war occurred.

1960: Belgium Grants Independence to Colonies

In 1960, Belgium abruptly granted independence to its colonies without prior preparation for self-government, contributing to the fragility of new ex-colonial states.

1960: Start of the Guatemalan Civil War

In 1960, the Guatemalan Civil War began, lasting until 1996. It was one of the lengthy Cold War-associated conflicts that eventually ended.

1970: Start of the Nicaraguan Civil War

In 1970, the Nicaraguan Civil War began, lasting until 1990. It was one of the lengthy Cold War-associated conflicts that eventually ended.

1979: Start of the El Salvador Civil War

In 1979, the El Salvador Civil War began, lasting until 1991. It was one of the lengthy Cold War-associated conflicts that eventually ended.

1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall

In 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall marked the end of the Cold War, leading to a significant reduction in the duration of Cold War civil wars.

1990: Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq

The 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq resulted in international military intervention to reverse the territorial aggression, illustrating the international community's response to military aggression.

1990: End of the Nicaraguan Civil War

The Nicaraguan civil war ended in 1990. This was one of the lengthy Cold War-associated civil conflicts that ground to a halt.

1991: End of the Cold War

The Cold War came to an end in 1991, having significantly influenced the dynamics and duration of civil wars around the world.

1991: End of the El Salvador Civil War

The El Salvador Civil war ended in 1991. This was one of the lengthy Cold War-associated civil conflicts that ground to a halt.

1996: End of the Guatemalan Civil War

The Guatemalan civil war ended in 1996. This was one of the lengthy Cold War-associated civil conflicts that ground to a halt.

1997: Civil war statistics until 1997

From 1816 to 1997, based on a 1,000-casualties-per-year criterion, there were 213 civil wars, with 104 occurring between 1944 and 1997.

1997: Correlation Between Anti-Secessionist Declaration and Civil Wars

From 1945 to 1997, every major international anti-secessionist declaration increased the number of ongoing civil wars, due to the diplomatic and legal protection given by the international community, as well as economic support to weak governments and discouragement of secession.

1999: End of the Collier-Hoeffler Model Study Period

From 1960 to 1999, a World Bank team carried out a comprehensive study of civil war, that examined 78 five-year increments when civil war occurred.

2000: Publication of "Civil Wars and Foreign Powers"

In 2000, Patrick M. Regan published "Civil Wars and Foreign Powers", which stated that about two-thirds of intrastate conflicts between the end of World War II and 2000 involved international intervention.

Civil Wars and Foreign Powers: Outside Intervention in Intrastate Conflict by Patrick M. Regan (2002-02-28)

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2000: Civil Wars and Foreign Powers

In 2000, Patrick M. Regan's book 'Civil Wars and Foreign Powers' noted that approximately two-thirds of the 138 intrastate conflicts between the end of World War II and 2000 involved international intervention, with the United States intervening in 35 of these conflicts.

Civil Wars and Foreign Powers: Outside Intervention in Intrastate Conflict by Patrick M. Regan (2002-02-28)

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2003: Shift in characteristics of Civil Wars

According to Barbara F. Walter, post-2003 civil wars are different from previous civil wars in that most are situated in Muslim-majority countries; most of the rebel groups espouse radical Islamist ideas and goals; and most of these radical groups pursue transnational rather than national aims.

2003: Publication of James Fearon and David Laitin's article

In 2003, James Fearon and David Laitin published an article in the American Political Science Review, which proposed the opportunity-based explanation as the most influential factor for civil war onset.

2006: Systematic Review Highlighting Rough Terrain as a Factor

A 2006 systematic review highlighted rough terrain as an important factor in increasing the chance of conflict, as it offers rebels sanctuary.

2007: Ongoing Civil Wars in 2007

As of 2007, there were 20 ongoing civil wars, using a less-stringent 1,000 casualties total criterion from 1945.

2007: Cederman's Critique of Ethnic Fractionalization Index

In 2007, Lars-Erik Cederman criticized the ethno-linguistic fractionalization index (ELF) used by Fearon and Laitin, arguing that it doesn't account for the power dynamics of ethnic groups within a state.

2009: Bleaney's Review of Civil War Evidence

In 2009, Michael Bleaney published a paper reviewing evidence on civil war outbreak, concluding that neither ethnoreligious diversity nor ethnic polarization were sufficient measures of diversity affecting the probability of conflict.

2011: Cederman's Findings on Inequality and Conflict

In a 2011 article, Cederman and researchers found that "in highly unequal societies, both rich and poor groups fight more often than those groups whose wealth lies closer to the country average", challenging the opportunity-based explanation for civil war outbreak.