[Dr. Sivana]

It is most commonly described as a war between citizens of the same country - nothing in that description says that it has to be along state or regional lines nor does it confine itself to a melee conflagration with no distinct geographical boundaries.

Actually, the part usually present in a true civil war in the traditional sense is trying to grab (or change) the seat of power and take the whole thing. The French Revolution was a Revolution. The October Revolution was a revolution.

By the more expansive definition, the Colonies' War for Independence would be a Civil War, as nearly all involved (save some French, Hessians and Injuns) were British subjects.

[Gaffer]

Equivocation. The raw basic definition is as I said. Extrapolating and expanding to specific events that fit your narrative doesn’t help. We differ.

[DiogenesLamp]

By the more expansive definition, the Colonies' War for Independence would be a Civil War, as nearly all involved (save some French, Hessians and Injuns) were British subjects.

I have long felt that the people of the Union states prefer to call it a "Civil War" because in their own minds it justifies what they did.

It isn't accurate, but neither is much that has been said on the matter.