why was the war in 1861-1865 called the civil war?

Answer 1

Perhaps you are confused by the DIFFERENT senses of the word "civil". Here are the simpler more ORIGINAL meanings to the word.

"Civil" [from Latin civilis, from civis, meaning "citizen"]
1. Of, relating to, or befitting a citizen or citizens
2. Of or relating to citizens and their interrelations with one another or with the state

This is the sense of the word in the expression "civil war" --used to speak of a war WITHIN a society, between citizens of the same country.

But since a properly functioning society is organized and general peaceful --with people getting along fairly well-- the word "civil" is also used in other senses

4. Of or in accordance with organized society; civilized.
5. Sufficiently observing or befitting accepted social usages; not rude (compare "polite")

Of course in THESE senses war is anything but "civil"! (and sadly, a war that pits brother against brother can become especially bitter).

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dict.asp?Word=civil

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So, is it a good name? Well, it sure seems better than many alternatives!

Note to our southern brethren -- though there are some in the South who prefer another term ("war between the states" is not unreasonable), since the warring parties had, just prior to the conflict, been ONE nation (and were again after the conflict!), the term "civil war" is an apt description.
compare: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_war

Better than that, the term does not does NOT try to resolve all the issues of causes & blame --unlike say, the War of Rebellion (or the "War of northern agression"!) Lincoln preferred "civil war" (e.g., Gettysburg Address), likely because it did NOT restrict blame to the South. This is altogether in keeping with his attitude as seen in his Second Inaugural Address and his plans for quick restoration/reconstruction, not "punishment" of the South. It was likely the desire of many in both North & South to "bind up the wounds" and restore the nation's unity, and perhaps the simplicity of the term, that caused this term to prevail in the end.

For other names used at various times -- most of which tend to take sides in the conflict -- see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_the_American_Civil_War

Answer 2

Because a civil war is a war between people of the same country. England had a "Civil" war too.

Answer 3

It is not called that in the South. Southerners call it the War Between the States... and a few of us call it the War of Northern Aggression.

Answer 4

It usually is when the country fights among it's own people. Spain had on in the 1930's. England in the 1660's.
Plus what's so civil about war anyway.

Answer 5

Fratricide within a country is usually called a civil war....brother against brother.

Answer 6

If you look up the definition of "Civil" it says that it is relations between citizens and their interrelations with one another and since the war was between citizens of the same country, I think that explains why they called it that.

Answer 7

because it was a civil war and the only one the USA has ever experienced, so they can call it THE civil war.

Answer 8

Because it was fought on American soil between the industrialized North and the agricultural South.

Answer 9

Because the North got to name it. Its a misnomer.