Longest Wars in History: Humans have been at war with one another throughout the whole history of humanity. War is fought for a variety of causes. Some of the things that warriors were willing to risk their lives for include independence, faith, territory, and even political ideologies. Some conflicts are short, particularly for nations with large military budgets. This, however, is not always the case. A fortified castle served as a place of safety for opposing sides to hide out until they could return to battle before technology made it feasible to kill numerous enemies from anywhere. This caused certain historical wars to last for decades or even centuries.
To create this list, we looked at information and articles from numerous sources. A conflict needs to fit the definition of war, which is an open and typically proclaimed armed confrontation between political entities like sovereign states or opposing factions inside the same state, such as a civil war, to be included on this list. To settle political or territorial issues, the conflict had to be perpetuated over an extended period. So let’s explore the details of the longest war in human history.
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Top 11 Longest Wars in history
1. Iberian Religious War
Duration: 711-1492 (781 years)
With the Catholic Spanish Empire, the Moors—who once resided in what is now Algeria and Morocco—fought the longest battle in history. The “Reconquista” struggle lasted 781 years, which is more than three times as long as the United States. Spain opposed the Moors’ entrance and engaged them in combat when they attempted to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe.
Which is the shortest and longest war in history?
Even though it was not a Crusade, the Catholic Church supported the battle. The dominance and territory of the Moors declined during the 15th century. When the Spanish retook Grenada and established their rule in the region in 1492, the Reconquista came to an end.
2. Persian-Roman Wars
Duration: 92 B.C.-A.D. 629 (721 years)
The Parthians and the Sassanids were two distinct Persian empires that were involved in the long-lasting Persian-Roman Wars.
World’s Longest War
Without making significant incursions into the enemy’s territory, cities near the border were repeatedly conquered by one side during the majority of the fight, then reclaimed by the other. The financial harm was significant. Due to the amount of time both sides spent preparing for their battle, they became open to attack from other factions.
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3. Arauco War
Duration: 1536-1825 (289 years)
The Mapuche, Picunche, and Huilliche of present-day Chile were among the Araucanian people who the Spanish attempted to colonize for about 300 years.
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Despite the Spanish conquistadors taking over much of South America, the Mapuche tribe resisted, partly because the Bio Bio River served as a natural boundary. In 1825, Spain made peace with Chile and its people, especially the Mapuche, and Chile gained independence.
4. Byzantine-Seljuq War
Duration: 1048-1308 (260 years)
The fight with the Seljuk Turks was the Byzantine Empire’s longest war, lasting more than two centuries. In Asia Minor and the adjacent areas, the Byzantines and Seljuks traded possessions for 260 years.
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The Crusades caused the Seljuk Turks to lose some of the territories they had captured, while the Byzantine Empire was overextended and was unable to hold its territories. After 260 years, the war concluded, prompting the fall of the Byzantine Empire.
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5. Hundred Years’ War
Duration: 1337-1453 (116 years)
To decide who would rule what is now France, there was a war called the Hundred Years’ War that lasted for more than a century. Following the death of Charles IV, House Plantagenet, the rulers of England, as well as House Valois, the heirs of former French kings, contested the French throne for 116 years.
Longest Civil war in history
Title claims grew complex as royal lineages throughout Europe intermarried. There were intermittent battles between the succeeding kings. Both parties faced internal issues in addition to their confrontation with one another. Charles VII’s House Valois had the opportunity to seize and prevail in the English Wars of the Roses.
6. Seleucid-Parthia War
Duration: 238 B.C.-129 B.C. (109 years)
The Seleucid Empire, which spanned from Thrace in Europe to the border of India like many other ancient empires, experienced several internal and external conflicts that reduced its strength. In a series of conflicts with the Arsacids, who had seized control of Parthia in 235 B.C., the empire briefly lost control of Parthia (modern-day Iran), but eventually gained it back.
Shortest wars in history
However, that was just one of several conflicts the empire faced at the time. The Arsacids, led by Mithridates I, struck the Seleucid Empire with its fatal blow by capturing nearly all of its realm as well as the whole of Mesopotamia.
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7. Dutch War for Independence
Duration: 1568-1648 (80 years)
The Dutch War of Independence, often known as the 80 Years’ War, signaled the end of Spanish dominance in the area and the emergence of Protestantism in Europe.
Longest war in 20th century
The majority-protestant of Dutch people became to dislike their Catholic overlords after years of Spanish rule, and William of Orange started a revolution. Despite having a considerably stronger military, Spain was distracted by its war with England and France, which allowed the Dutch to win significant surprises. The Netherlands joined forces with France in the 1630s. The two allies advanced into areas under Spanish rule. Spanish authorities agreed to a truce in 1648 after seeing the combined power of Dutch and French soldiers.
8. Karen Conflict
Duration: 1949-present (72 years)
After Burma (now Myanmar) gained independence from the British in 1948, many members of the Karen ethnic minority believed they were being left out of the government’s creation and desired self-sovereignty.
What’s the longest war in history?
The Karen National Union is still at war with the Myanmar army, despite hopes that the conflict may be concluded with the election of Nobel Peace Prize winner and well-liked leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Recently, the group’s size has shrunk, and it now carries out more guerilla attacks than open combat.
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9. Korean War
Duration: 1950-present (71 years)
Despite the U.S. military no longer directly taking part in the battle there, the Korean Peninsula is still officially at war. This is because a peace treaty between North and South Korea was never entirely finalized.
List of conflicts by duration
The presidents of North and South Korea did meet in 2018. Despite recent indications of prospective relationship expansion, there are still significant problems between the two countries, and no sign of a resolution is in sight.
10. Greco-Persian Wars
Duration: 499 B.C.-449 B.C. (50 years)
Greek city-states rebelled against Persia, starting one of the longest and deadliest confrontations in ancient history. The attempt was effectively repelled by the Persians, but Darius, the Persian king, used the fact that Athens did send ships to support the rebellion as a reason for attacking the entirety of Greece.
The Longest Wars Ever To Be Fought In Human History
Despite the Persian army’s size, the Greeks maneuvered and outflanked it on land and at sea. After 50 years of warfare, the Persians finally consented to a peace deal after being repeatedly driven back by Greek forces.
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11. Punic Wars
Duration: 264-146 B.C. (43 years)
The Punic Wars, like the First World War, started with fighting between smaller factions and intensified until major allies, including Rome and Carthage, joined the conflict. Control over the formerly divided island of Sicily was the conflict’s main issue. Even though Carthage was more affluent and had greater military expertise, many of its officials were dishonest and stole from the military.
Because mercenaries were not paid, Rome was able to overwhelm the strong Carthaginian navy. Carthage was finally vanquished by Rome, which made Rome one of the most powerful nations in the world and destroyed the city-state.
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Conclusion
Since mankind created the first tools and created weapons, wars have been fought. While some events—the two World Wars, for example—have defined our current existence, they are a blot in the chronicles of military history. In reality, dozens of wars have lasted for many years or even centuries. This article will the longest wars in human history, beginning with the Reconquista Wars.
Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC
Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC, is a Law Student and a Certified Mediator/Conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a Developer with knowledge in HTML, CSS, JS, PHP and React Native. Samuel is bent on changing the legal profession by building Web and Mobile Apps that will make legal research a lot easier.
FAQs
What is history in your own words? ›
History is the study of change over time, and it covers all aspects of human society. Political, social, economic, scientific, technological, medical, cultural, intellectual, religious and military developments are all part of history.
What is a historical essay? ›A history essay (sometimes referred to as a thesis essay) will describe an argument or claim about one or more historical events and will support that claim with evidence, arguments and references. The text must make it clear to the reader why the argument or claim is as such.
Why is history important? ›The Past Teaches Us About the Present
Because history gives us the tools to analyze and explain problems in the past, it positions us to see patterns that might otherwise be invisible in the present – thus providing a crucial perspective for understanding (and solving!) current and future problems.
Herodotus is traditionally regarded as the father of history. because he was the first historian to collect and systematically document events and create an account. He compiled these accounts into his single major work known as The Histories.
What are the 3 types of history? ›Contemporary history: the study of recent historical events. Counterfactual history: the study of historical events as they might have happened in different causal circumstances. Cultural history: the study of culture in the past.
Why is it called history? ›The Greek word historia originally meant inquiry, the act of seeking knowledge, as well as the knowledge that results from inquiry. And from there it's a short jump to the accounts of events that a person might put together from making inquiries — what we might call stories.
How to write a history essay Grade 8? ›- Identify a topic. ...
- Develop a specific direction or focus question. ...
- Locate sources of information. ...
- Take notes. ...
- Write the working outline. ...
- Write the first draft. ...
- Revise the first draft. ...
- Write the final paper.
Never include personal opinion. Never use “I” in essays.
What is an example of a strong thesis statement? ›A strong thesis statement is specific.
A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic. For example, if you're writing a seven-to-ten page paper on hunger, you might say: World hunger has many causes and effects.
For example, a claim about the American Revolution being a world war could indicate significance by stating “this was the only war of its type in history,” or, “without the involvement of other nations, the Americans would not have won.” Either statement positions your argument within a bigger historical conversation.
How hard is it to get an A in history? ›
The difficulty of A-Level History is due in part to how much content you need to know. This A-Level is quite content heavy compared to other subjects, which can make it quite hard if that's not what you're used to. The reason more content makes an A-Level hard is because there's more to remember.
Does history Take A or an? ›The word historic doesn't have a silent H and begins with a consonant sound like the word hip, so it makes sense to use the word a. Additionally, most style guides recommend using a before historic, history, and historical.
Does history repeat itself? ›While it is often remarked that "history repeats itself", in cycles of less than cosmological duration this cannot be strictly true. In this interpretation of recurrence, as opposed perhaps to the Nietzschean interpretation, there is no metaphysics.
Do I need history in life? ›Studying history helps us understand how events in the past made things the way they are today. With lessons from the past, we not only learn about ourselves and how we came to be, but also develop the ability to avoid mistakes and create better paths for our societies.
How many types of history are there? ›There are six types of history which are political, diplomatic, cultural, intellectual, social, and economic history. History, as we all know, is the study of events that happened in the past which are particularly related to human affairs.
Who invented history? ›Herodotus is known as the Father of History, but he was much more than that. He was also the world's first travel writer, a pioneering geographer, anthropologist, explorer, moralist, tireless investigative reporter and enlightened multiculturalist before the word existed.
Who is the mother of history? ›| Lina Medina | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 September 1933 Ticrapo, Castrovirreyna Province, Peru |
| Known for | Youngest confirmed mother in history |
| Spouse | Raúl Jurado (m. 1970s) |
| Children | 2 |
History refers to the time period after the invention of written records in a given culture or society. Archaeologists have discovered written records in Egypt from as early as 3200 BCE, which is the accepted date at which history "begins" there.
What are the 3 C's in history? ›Following the organizational basis of Robert W. Strayer's textbook, Ways of the World, the class will be organized around “The Three Cs of World History,” namely, Comparison, Connection, and Change among the various world civilizations, cultures and actors over the time span of the last five centuries.
How do I see all my history? ›- Go to your Google Account.
- On the left navigation panel, click Data & privacy.
- Under "History settings," click My Activity.
- To view your activity: Browse your activity, organized by day and time. At the top, use the search bar and filters to find specific activity.
What are the 2 types of history? ›
- Political history.
- Diplomatic history.
- Cultural history.
- Social history.
- Economic history.
- Intellectual history.
Following the success of The Histories, Greek writer Marcus Tullius Cicero dubbed Herodotus the “father of history”, and the name has stuck through the centuries. Let's look at why he still holds this title in more detail.
How can I delete history? ›On your computer, open Chrome. History. On the left, click Clear browsing data. Select how much history you want to delete.
When was the first history? ›History based on written records appears quite late in human history. The first written records date back a little more than 5,000 years in Egypt and ancient Sumer. The earliest Sumerian records were made using reeds cut at an angle to make wedge-shaped (cuneiform) marks on clay, which was then baked hard.
How do you write an essay for Grade 11? ›- Create a Thesis Statement. Your thesis statement tells the reader what the purpose of your essay is. ...
- Write the Introductory Paragraph. ...
- Start Your Body Paragraphs. ...
- Write the Concluding Paragraph. ...
- Edit Your First Draft.
The easiest way to organize a 700-word essay is to use a standard 5-paragraph structure. The paper should start with an introduction: a hook, some background data, and a thesis statement. Then come three body paragraphs, each focused on one argument.
How do you start a history essay for 11th grade? ›An essay must have an introductory paragraph that lets your reader know what your thesis is and what the main points of your argument will be. The first sentence should be a direct response to the question that is presented or what you're trying to argue.
How do you say I in an essay without saying I? ›"One," "the reader," "readers," "the viewer," or something similar sometimes can be used effectively in place of first-person pronouns in formal papers, but be careful not to overuse these expressions.
Can I say I in my college essay? ›Not only is it fine to make “I” statements in your application essays, but colleges expect your essays to sound like you, too! Always be yourself in your application, not the candidate you think admissions committees want to see.
Is it OK to use we in college essay? ›Don't Use “You”
As we said, feel free to use “I” or “we” in your college essays. This is your story, so tell it. But it would be very rare for you to have a reason to address the admissions officer directly, unless you are somehow writing a note to a specific person.
How can I write fast? ›
- Type faster to write faster.
- Write what you already have in mind.
- Don't worry about mistakes—just keep going.
- Using voice-to-text can be faster than typing.
- Use placeholders.
It's hard because doing it well matters, because stories matter, and the details matter, and there are often a lot of details. Sometimes they take years to organize. The feelings and ideas and memories that we put into the writing also matter, and are layered, and we can't force an understanding of them.
How do you write 12? ›12 in English
Thus, students should learn how to write numbers using the English alphabet. Here, 12 in English is written as Twelve.
A hook is an opening statement (which is usually the first sentence) in an essay that attempts to grab the reader's attention so that they want to read on.
Can a thesis statement be 3 words? ›There is no exact word count for a thesis statement, as the length depends on your level of knowledge and expertise. It usually has two sentences, so between 20-50 words.
What would be the strongest thesis? ›- A strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand. Remember that your thesis needs to show your conclusions about a subject. ...
- A strong thesis statement justifies discussion. ...
- A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea. ...
- A strong thesis statement is specific.
Wind and hail are the most common reasons for homeowners insurance claims, accounting for 45.5% of claims filed in 2020. Other common claims include fire, water damage, theft and injury.
What were some major events in the history of the United States? ›- Colonial Settlement, 1600s - 1763.
- The American Revolution, 1763 - 1783.
- The New Nation, 1783 - 1815.
- National Expansion and Reform, 1815 - 1880.
- Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877.
- Rise of Industrial America, 1876-1900.
- Progressive Era to New Era, 1900-1929.
By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists' motivations for seeking independence.
Can I put my thesis statement in the first sentence? ›Your thesis is likely to be either the first sentence or last sentence of the conclusion. Remember to change your thesis as necessary. It should always match the rest of your paper to convey your main point. As you write, your ideas may change, especially when you do research.
What are good sentence starters for essays? ›
Below is a list of possible sentence starters, transitional and other words that may be useful. This essay discusses … … is explored … … is defined … The definition of … will be given … is briefly outlined … … is explored … The issue focused on …. … is demonstrated ... … is included …
Should my thesis be my first sentence? ›A thesis statement is usually at the end of an introductory paragraph. The sentences that precede the sentence will introduce it, and the sentences that follow will support and explain it. Just as a topic sentence introduces and organizes a paragraph, a thesis statement helps readers recognize what is to follow.
What is a good introduction for a history essay? ›The introduction sets up the historical question, presents a clear thesis to the reader, and establishes the scope of the essay--the time period, places, and subjects discussed in the essay.
How many paragraphs should a history essay have? ›For an essay of 1500 words, four or five such paragraphs are sufficient; longer essays require more points of argument and/or more fully developed evidence. For some topics and some hypotheses the points of argument will be very evident.
What are the 3 things a good introduction should have? ›- An opening hook to catch the reader's attention.
- Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
- A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.
Most paragraphs will range between 75 to 200 words. As a result, the average 500-word essay will have around 4-6 paragraphs. Importantly, paragraph length and the number of paragraphs in a given essay depends on what type of essay you're writing.
How long does it take to write a 1000 word history essay? ›The average writing speed by hand is around 20 words per minute. And the average for typing is usually double at 40 words per minute. Following this logic, it should take 25 minutes for the average person to type out 1000 words. And 50 minutes if writing by hand.