What is the longest war in history? When we think of war, images of battles, heroism, and tragedy often come to mind.
Wars shape nations, define borders, and alter the course of history. Among these conflicts, a fascinating question arises: What is the longest war in history?
The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on how we define and measure the duration of war.
This blog will delve into the contenders for this title, the criteria for considering a war the longest, and the differing opinions on this intriguing topic.
Defining the longest war
Before we identify the longest war in history, we must establish what constitutes a “war.”
Traditional definitions involve sustained conflict between states, characterized by prolonged armed fighting and significant impact on the parties involved.
However, the term can also encompass periods of declared hostility without continuous active combat, making the assessment more complex.
As you’ll see with some of the answers below, some of these wars could be considered an extended period of conflict in which there were multiple wars, like the Hundred Years’ War.
Then there are other cases. Take South and North Korea, for example, which still remain technically at war despite there being no active conflict for decades.
Criteria for consideration
To determine the longest war in history, several criteria must be considered:
- Duration of active conflict: The total time during which active combat occurred.
- Declared state of war: The period during which a formal declaration of war or recognized hostilities existed.
- Impact and significance: The extent to which the conflict influenced the involved parties and broader historical developments.
- Continuity: Whether periods of truce or peace treaties interrupt the classification of a single, continuous war.
Given these criteria, the Hundred Years’ War stands out due to its prolonged duration of hostilities, significant historical impact, and periods of resumed conflict.
However, the Reconquista also presents a compelling case due to its nearly eight-century-long struggle and profound influence on the Iberian Peninsula’s history.
Roman-Persian Wars (54-628 AD)
The Roman-Persian Wars, lasting from 54 to 628 AD, represent one of the longest continuous conflicts in antiquity.
This series of wars between the Roman Empire (later the Byzantine Empire) and the Sasanian Empire of Persia spanned nearly six centuries.
While there were periods of relative peace, the overall conflict was characterized by ongoing hostilities, border skirmishes, and full-scale wars.
Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC)
The Peloponnesian War, fought between Athens and Sparta along with their respective allies, lasted 27 years from 431 to 404 BC.
This conflict was marked by continuous military engagements, sieges, and naval battles, with no significant breaks in hostilities. The war was primarily driven by power struggles and political rivalry within the Greek world.
It led to widespread devastation and significant shifts in Greek politics, ultimately resulting in the decline of Athenian power and the rise of Sparta as the dominant Greek state.
Reconquista (722-1492)
Another contender is the Reconquista, the series of campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory from the Moors who had occupied much of the Iberian Peninsula.
This conflict began in 711 AD and concluded with the fall of Granada in 1492, lasting nearly 781 years. The Reconquista profoundly shaped Spanish and Portuguese history, culminating in the rise of powerful Christian kingdoms and the eventual unification of Spain.
Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453)
One of the most commonly cited contenders for the longest war in history is the Hundred Years’ War between England and France.
Despite its name, the conflict lasted 116 years, from 1337 to 1453. The war stemmed from territorial disputes and claims to the French throne, leading to a series of battles, truces, and resumed hostilities.
The Hundred Years’ War significantly influenced medieval Europe, shaping the national identities of both England and France in profound ways.
Historians often point to the Hundred Years’ War as a quintessential example of medieval warfare’s prolonged nature, marked by intermittent periods of peace and renewed conflict.
It involved famous battles such as Agincourt and the rise of iconic figures like Joan of Arc.
Anglo-French Wars
If we consider a broader perspective, the series of conflicts between England and France from the 12th to the 19th centuries could be seen as a continuous struggle lasting over 700 years.
These wars included the Norman Conquest, the Hundred Years’ War, and the Napoleonic Wars. While not a single, unbroken conflict, this interpretation underscores the long-standing rivalry between these two nations, influencing European politics for centuries.
Dutch-Portuguese War (1602-1654)
The Dutch-Portuguese War, lasting from 1602 to 1663, spanned 61 years.
The conflict involved battles for control over colonial territories in Asia, Africa, and South America. Though shorter than other contenders, its inclusion highlights the global nature of colonial wars and their extended duration due to the vast distances and logistical challenges involved.
The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)
The Thirty Years’ War, spanning 30 years from 1618 to 1648, is one of the longest continuous active conflicts in European history.
This devastating war involved many European powers and was primarily fought in the Holy Roman Empire, driven by religious and political disputes.
Significant battles included the Battle of White Mountain and the Battle of Rocroi. Despite some localized truces, the overall conflict remained continuous, with various phases of intense military action.
The war resulted in immense destruction, significant loss of life, and profound political and territorial changes in Europe, culminating in the Peace of Westphalia.
Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)
The Napoleonic Wars, lasting from 1803 to 1815, were a series of continuous military conflicts involving Napoleonic France and various European coalitions. This period was marked by relentless campaigns, including famous battles such as Austerlitz, Leipzig, and Waterloo.
The wars were driven by Napoleon’s ambitions for European dominance and the resistance of other powers to French expansion. The continuous nature of these conflicts reshaped Europe, leading to significant political and territorial changes, and the eventual downfall of Napoleon.
Vietnam War (1955-1975)
The Vietnam War, lasting from 1955 to 1975 (and before if you include the Indochina Wars), is one of the longest wars in history.
This conflict saw North Vietnam and its communist allies fighting against South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations.
Major battles included the Tet Offensive (1968) and the Fall of Saigon (1975). The war was marked by relentless combat, with no prolonged periods of peace until its conclusion.
The Vietnam War had profound impacts on the Vietnamese population and American society, influencing U.S. foreign policy and public opinion on warfare, much of which was changed forever by the introduction of regular news broadcasts of the conflict.
Differing opinions on the longest war
As you can see, there’s no great answer to this question.
Opinions on what constitutes the longest war in history vary significantly among historians and scholars.
These differing views stem from the complexity of defining a war’s duration and the criteria used to measure it. =
While some historians advocate for a more segmented approach, viewing wars like the Hundred Years’ War and the Anglo-French Wars as a series of distinct conflicts, others argue for a broader perspective, seeing these prolonged periods of hostility as part of an overarching struggle.
This section delves into these differing opinions and the perspectives of various historians on this intriguing subject, using the Hundred Years’ War as a basis for the discussion.
The segmentalist perspective
Historian David Green, an expert on medieval warfare, suggests that the Hundred Years’ War should be considered as a collection of intermittent conflicts rather than a single, continuous war.
Green points out that the periods of peace, such as the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, and the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, were significant enough to break the war into distinct phases.
According to him, these treaties effectively halted hostilities and redefined the political landscape, thus marking clear separations between the conflict phases.
Green argues that labeling the Hundred Years’ War as the longest war in history oversimplifies the complex nature of medieval diplomacy and warfare. He believes that each phase of the war had its unique causes, strategies, and outcomes, deserving individual recognition in historical records.
John Gillingham, another prominent historian specializing in English and French medieval history, supports a similar view.
Gillingham emphasizes that the Hundred Years’ War comprised multiple wars over different issues, including territorial disputes, dynastic claims, and shifting alliances.
He argues that this multifaceted nature should preclude its classification as a single, uninterrupted conflict.
The continuity perspective
Conversely, some historians advocate for viewing extended conflicts like the Hundred Years’ War as continuous struggles.
Clifford J. Rogers, a military historian known for his work on medieval warfare, argues that despite the intermittent truces, the Hundred Years’ War represents an ongoing struggle between England and France over the French crown.
Rogers contends that the underlying causes of the war persisted throughout the 116 years, with the periods of peace serving merely as temporary respites in a broader, continuous conflict.
Rogers points to the recurring themes of territorial ambition and dynastic rivalry that permeated the entire period. He argues that the same fundamental issues drove the conflict from its inception in 1337 to its conclusion in 1453, justifying its classification as a single, protracted war.
Similarly, Anne Curry, a leading scholar on the Hundred Years’ War, supports this view by highlighting the war’s cumulative impact on both England and France.
Curry suggests that the socio-political and economic ramifications of the conflict were felt continuously, with each phase building upon the previous ones.
She emphasizes the war’s role in shaping national identities and its lasting legacy on European history, reinforcing the argument for its classification as the longest war in history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question of what is the longest war in history does not have a definitive answer, as it depends on the criteria and interpretations applied.
The Hundred Years’ War and the Reconquista are both strong contenders, each offering unique insights into the nature of prolonged conflict.
The Anglo-French Wars and the Dutch-Portuguese War also highlight the complexities of defining and measuring the duration of war.