why would they ever call civil war a "civil" war?

Answer 1

only because it is fought within its own country ,with fellow citizens fighting against each other... but of course no war is " civil" ..lol..

Answer 2

A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight for political power or control of an area. Some civil wars are also categorized as revolutions when major societal restructuring is a possible outcome of the conflict. An insurgency, whether successful or not, is likely to be classified as a civil war by some historians if, and only if, organized armies fight conventional battles. Other historians state the criteria for a civil war is that there must be prolonged violence between organized factions or defined regions of a country (conventionally fought or not).

Ultimately the distinction between a "civil war" and a "revolution" or other name is arbitrary, and determined by usage. The successful insurgency of the 1640s in England which led to the (temporary) overthrow of the monarchy became known as the English Civil War. The successful insurgency of the 1770s in British colonies in America, with organized armies fighting battles, came to be known as the American Revolution. In the United States, and in American-dominated sources, the term 'the civil war' almost always means the American Civil War, with other civil wars noted or inferred from context.

What is generally agreed upon is that factors such as nationalism, religion, and ideology, played little role in pre-modern civil wars. While it is quite common for nationalists to read past revolts, such as those of Scotland against England as early stirrings of nationalism, this is a somewhat suspect notion. Religion is more contentious, there are some civil wars that can be seen as fueled by religion in early years, such as the Jewish Revolts against Rome, but these can also be seen as revolts by a servile people against their oppressors or uprisings by local notables in an attempt to gain independence.

hope this helps!!!

Answer 3

It's simple, because it had to do with the citizens of it's own country, its considered a civil war. Civil coming from the word Citizen

Answer 4

From M-W.com - The first definition of the word civil:

1 a : of or relating to citizens b : of or relating to the state or its citizenry


But you are right; there's nothing civil (in another definition of the word) about a civil war. Perhaps another word or just simply "war" would be the better way to describe such a thing.

Answer 5

By definition, a civil war is a conflict within a country, not between countries. But, you're right, there is nothing "civil" about any war.

Answer 6

There is two meanings.. Civil War as it is inside of the countries borders, yet civil as in humane is entirely different.

Answer 7

Good question. No war is civil.

Answer 8

Good point but civil means internal

Answer 9

Because "civil" in context means of the people ( IE- civil service) as opposed to the other meaning of polite ( IE - civil conversation )

Answer 10

possibly in case you discovered extra about the "conflict antagonistic to Yankee Aggression" extremely than what you've heard or imagine you recognize.........then your opinion ought to really be distinct, extremely in the route of Southerners. on your tips, decrease than 10% of those Southerners who fought in the course of the Civil conflict were slave holders. Your hero, Lincoln, did not even emancipate the slaves till 1862, the conflict began in 1861. And what makes you imagine us Southerners are all "white supremacists" and "paramilitary communities"? Ever heard of the "Michigan militia"? That aint contained in the South, cupcake. Get your information immediately, in the previous you're making absurd comments like those.