Wars & Battles Throughout History

Conflict Overviews

Throughout history, conflicts have been solved by wars.Over the centuries combat has become increasingly more sophisticated, but war's ability to change the world has stayed the same.

Military History Timelines

Gain a quick overview of military history with these timelines that trace battles and wars through the ages.

Great Battles

While wars have the ability to change the landscape, certain key battles have played a central role in determining the outcome of military conflicts.Here we look at several that have been particularly influential.

Wars of Rome

From the early days of the Republic through the fall of the Empire, Roman forces fought wars across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The Crusades

Beginning in 1095, the Crusades were a series of military campaigns launched with the goal of restoring Christian control over the Holy Land.Though Jerusalem was captured in 1099, it was lost again in 1187.

The Hundred Years' War

The Hundred Years' War saw England and France clash between 1337 and 1453.While the English won many of the early battles, the French later gained the upper hand.

Wars of the Roses

Fought between 1455 and 1485, the Wars of the Roses was a dynastic conflict in England which pitted the Yorkists versus the Lancastrians.The conflict was ultimately won by the latter and ended with the beginning of the Tudor Dynasty.

French & Indian/Seven Years' War

The French & Indian War began in North America in 1754 and two years later grew into the Seven Years' War in Europe.The first truly global conflict, it saw Britain and France duel for colonial empires while Prussia fought Austria-Hungary, France, and Russia on the Continent.

American Revolution

The American Revolution was fought between 1775 and 1783, and was the result of increasing colonial unhappiness with British rule. During the American Revolution, American forces were constantly hampered by a lack of resources, but managed to win critical victories which led to an alliance with France.

French Revolutionary/Napoleonic Wars

Fought between 1792 and 1815, the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars consumed Western Europe. Fought between France and various coalitions of Britain, Prussia, Austria, Russia, and Portugal, the wars saw the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte.

War of 1812

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain and lasted from 1812 to 1815. Resulting from American anger over trade issues, impressment of sailors, and British support of Indian attacks on the frontier, the conflict saw the US Army attempt to invade Canada while British forces attacked south.

Mexican-American War

A conflict that occurred as the result of Mexican resentment over the US annexation of Texas and a border dispute, the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) represents the only major military dispute between the two nations.

American Civil War

Consuming the United States from 1861-1865, the Civil War forever changed the destiny of nation.The bloodiest conflict in American history, the Civil War saw the Confederacy defeated after four years of fighting.

World War I

Fought from 1914-1918, World War I began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.Consuming Europe as well as the Middle East and parts of Africa, World War I ultimately saw Germany and Austria-Hungary defeated by Britain, France, Italy, and the United States.

World War II

Beginning in 1939, World War II was the largest conflict in history and dramatically altered the political landscape.In the fighting that spanned the globe, Allied forces were able to defeat Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Japan.

Vietnam War

The United States' longest conflict, Vietnam shaped a generation and tested the resolve of the nation.