Revolution vs. civil war

[SanVito]

@Crafter_Man

One of my pet peeves is when someone calls the U.S. war with Britain from 1775 to 1783 the “Revolutionary War.” I do not think this is accurate. It was not a revolution; they simply wanted *independence *from GB. I think a better term is War of Independence.

I agree. In fact, growing up in the 70s/80s, I was taught about the ‘American War of Independence’. This was in the UK.

[Alessan]

@Johnny_L.A

Sire! The peasants are revolting!

You said it! They stink on ice!

[barbitu8]

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

(Preamble to the Declaration of Independence)

Based on this, the CSA averred that their right to secede was based on the same grounds that the Colonies seceded; i.e., separated from the existing government to form their own government. If the South were victorious, it would’ve been America’s second revolution, which is the way many in the South refer to it. So, call it a “revolution” or “civil war” it is, as the Brits say, a war of independence.

BTW, many in the South refer to it as the War of Northern Aggression.

[Jonathan_Chance]

Originally posted by Ovid

Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason? Why if it prosper, none dare call it treason.

The classic difference between a ‘rebellion’ and a ‘revolution’ is who got hanged when it was over and done.

[Deeg]

@Crafter_Man

One of my pet peeves is when someone calls the U.S. war with Britain from 1775 to 1783 the “Revolutionary War.” I do not think this is accurate. It was not a revolution; they simply wanted *independence *from GB. I think a better term is War of Independence.

I’m going to disagree some. There were some revolutionary ideas that come out of the US revolution, largely related to self-governance. The US Constitution was the first time that the citizens of a country voted for/against the form of government proposed.

@barbitu8

The CSA contended that they were applying their rights that the American Colonies used: People have the right to secede when they are being oppressed by the existing government.

The difference, however, is that the American colonies did not have direct representation in the government. The Southern states did.