Warfare is a broad term that encompasses all aspects of armed conflict and confrontation between two or more entities It may involve the use of physical force, such as in wars, riots, or civil unrest, or it may be a struggle of economic or ideological forces, such as a trade war or international political dispute. Warfare also covers the preparation for and conduct of such struggles, as well as the weapons and tactics used in such conflicts. Warfare has existed since the dawn of civilization and is an important part of human history.
1. World War I: World War I was one of the most devastating wars in history, leading to the deaths of millions of soldiers and civilians and the destruction of entire countries. It began in 1914 with the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian nationalist and quickly spread throughout Europe. As the war dragged on, it became a global conflict involving the major powers of Europe, North America, and Asia. New technologies such as machine guns, tanks, and chemical weapons were used to devastating effect, as were trench warfare and modern strategies of attrition. The war finally ended in 1918 with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
2. World War II: Just twenty years after the end of World War I, World War II began in 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Germany. This conflict was even more destructive, with total casualties reaching over 50 million people. It began as a conventional war between the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan and the Allies of the United Kingdom, United States, and the Soviet Union. However, it quickly became an ideological conflict between fascism and democracy. The Allies were ultimately victorious and the war ended in 1945 with the surrender of Germany.
3. Vietnam War: The Vietnam War was a long and drawn-out conflict that lasted from 1955 to 1975. It began between the U.S.-backed government of South Vietnam and the communist-backed government of North Vietnam. The conflict quickly escalated, with both sides backed by larger countries like the United States and China. The war was marked by fierce fighting and political dissent in the United States. In the end, North Vietnam emerged victorious and the war ended with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.
4. Cold War: The Cold War was a lengthy period of political and military tension between the Soviet Union and the United States that lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite never officially declaring war on one another, both countries built up large military forces and took part in proxy wars throughout the world. The Cold War saw the development of nuclear weapons and sparked an arms race between the two superpowers. The Cold War finally ended in the early 1990s with the fall of the Soviet Union.
5. Gulf War: The Gulf War was a brief conflict that began in August 1990 and lasted until February 1991. It began when Iraq invaded Kuwait and was quickly met with an international coalition led by the United States. The war saw a quick victory for the coalition forces and a ceasefire was declared in February 1991. The war saw the development of new military strategies such as the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and precision-guided munitions. It was also the first conflict to be fought with technologically advanced weaponry.