Various conflicts and wars that took place during the early modern period and had significant political, economic, and social consequences.
The Thirty Years' War: A series of conflicts in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648.
The English Civil War: A series of armed conflicts and political struggles between Parliamentarians and Royalists in the 17th century.
The French Wars of Religion: A series of conflicts between Catholics and Protestants in France during the late 16th century.
The Ottoman-Habsburg Wars: A series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Empire during the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Crusades: A series of religious wars fought between the 11th and 14th centuries between Christians and Muslims for control of the Holy Land.
The Spanish-American War: A conflict between Spain and the United States in 1898 over control of Cuba and other territories.
The American Revolution: A war fought from 1775 to 1783 between Great Britain and the thirteen British colonies in North America.
The Napoleonic Wars: A series of conflicts fought between Napoleon Bonaparte and various European powers during the early 19th century.
The Wars of the Roses: A series of civil wars fought in England between the House of Lancaster and the House of York from the mid-15th century.
The Seven Years' War: A global conflict fought between 1756 and 1763 involving most of the great powers of the time, including Great Britain, France, and Prussia.
The Boer Wars: Two conflicts fought between the British Empire and the Boer states of South Africa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Opium Wars: Two conflicts fought between China and Great Britain over trade imbalances and opium smuggling in the mid-19th century.
The Crimean War: A conflict fought between Russia and a coalition of France, the United Kingdom, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia in the mid-19th century.
The Mexican-American War: A conflict fought between Mexico and the United States from 1846 to 1848 over territorial disputes.
The Russo-Turkish War: A conflict between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire fought in various phases from the late 17th to the early 20th century.
Religious Wars: Wars fought based on religious differences or to protect one's religion or faith. Examples include the Thirty Years' War in Europe, which was fought between Protestants and Catholics.
Colonial Wars: Wars fought between two or more colonial powers over control of overseas territories. Examples include the French and Indian War, which was fought between France and Britain over control of North America.
Civil Wars: Wars fought within a single country or state between opposing factions. Examples include the English Civil War, which was fought between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians over control of England.
Dynastic Wars: Wars fought between different ruling families or dynasties for power and control. Examples include the War of the Spanish Succession in Europe, which was fought over the inheritance of the Spanish throne.
War of Independence: Wars fought by a group or nation to gain independence from a colonial or foreign power. Examples include the American Revolution, which saw the Thirteen Colonies seeking independence from Britain.
Conquest Wars: Wars fought for the purpose of gaining territory or resources. Examples include the wars of Napoleon, which were fought to expand the French Empire.
Proxy Wars: Wars fought between two larger powers using smaller states or factions as proxies. Examples include the Cold War, during which the US and USSR fought proxy wars in various parts of the world.
Border Wars: Wars fought between neighboring countries over disputed borders or territories. Examples include the War of the Pacific, which was fought between Chile, Bolivia and Peru over control of the Atacama Desert.
Guerrilla Wars: Wars fought by irregular or insurgent forces against a more powerful military. Examples include the American Revolution, during which the Continental Army fought a guerrilla war against the British.
Naval Wars: Wars fought at sea between naval powers. Examples include the Hundred Years' War, which saw England and France engage in naval warfare in the English Channel.