“A civil war is between factions who want to take over the government”
Is this any sort of official definition? Because I was under the impression that we call some wars civil to distinguish them from foreign wars. The war for independence, for instance, was a civil war from Britain’s perspective. From ours it was foreigners trying to impose their will on us.
“Is this any sort of official definition? Because I was under the impression that we call some wars civil to distinguish them from foreign wars. The war for independence, for instance, was a civil war from Britain’s perspective. From ours it was foreigners trying to impose their will on us.”
Latter - no. Not foreigners, but sovereigns treating birthright British as mere colonials (i.e., conquered peoples).
A civil war basically is simply in-fighting. In some ways, indeed, it’s hairy calling the “CW” such when basically 1 side just wanted to part ways.
And really, “Revolution” isn’t really good for the British-American war, because THAT absolutely implies someone wants to take over. Perhaps simply because they wanted to “take over” the land they lived on rather than letting far-away kings have ultimate rule.
In any case my take is:
Insurgents win - revolution
Insurgents lose - civil war.