1. World War II (1939-1945)
Description: World War II was a global conflict that involved over 30 countries and resulted in significant geopolitical changes. It started with the German invasion of Poland and later encompassed the majority of the world’s nations, including all the great powers, which eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis.
Duration: 6 years (1939-1945)
Casualties: Estimated to be around 70-85 million, or about 3% of the world population at the time.
How it Ended: The war ended with the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers. After dropping atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, Japan surrendered, marking the end of the war.
2. Mongol Conquests (1206-1368)
Description: The Mongol invasions and conquests took place during the 13th and 14th centuries, creating the largest contiguous land empire in history.
Duration: Approximately 162 years (1206-1368)
Casualties: Estimates range widely from 30 to 60 million.
How it Ended: The conquests ceased and the empire started to fracture due to struggles over succession. Regions of the empire gradually gained independence.
3. Three Kingdoms War (184-280)
Description: A war in ancient China, known as the Three Kingdoms period. This era is popularized in Chinese literature and is a period filled with power struggles and warfare.
Duration: Around 96 years (184-280)
Casualties: An estimated 36-40 million.
How it Ended: The Jin dynasty overthrew the Kingdom of Wu, ending the Three Kingdoms period and beginning the Jin dynasty.
4. World War I (1914-1918)
Description: Known as the Great War, this was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in history and paved the way for major political changes, including revolutions in many of the nations involved.
Duration: 4 years (1914-1918)
Casualties: Approximately 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded.
How it Ended: The war officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.
5. Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864)
Description: A massive civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, against the ruling Manchu-led Qing dynasty. It was a millenarian movement led by Hong Xiuquan, who announced that he had received visions in which he learned that he was the younger brother of Jesus.
Duration: 14 years (1850-1864)
Casualties: Estimates range from 20-30 million.
How it Ended: The Qing government finally crushed the rebellion with the help of French and British forces.
6. Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)
Description: A military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. The war was the result of a decades-long Japanese imperialist policy aiming to dominate China politically and militarily and to secure its vast raw material reserves and other economic resources, particularly food and labor.
Duration: 8 years (1937-1945)
Casualties: Estimated to be about 20 million Chinese.
How it Ended: Japan’s surrender to the Allied powers in 1945 ended the war.
7. Russian Civil War (1917-1922)
Description: A multi-party war in the former Russian Empire immediately after the Russian Revolutions of 1917, with multiple factions vying to determine Russia’s political future.
Duration: 5 years (1917-1922)
Casualties: Estimated casualties range from 5-9 million.
How it Ended: The war ended with the victory of the Red Army, establishing the Soviet Union.
8. Dungan Revolt (1862–1877)
Description: A mainly ethnic and religious war fought in 19th-century western China, mostly during the reign of the Tongzhi Emperor of the Qing dynasty. The term sometimes includes the Panthay Rebellion in Yunnan, which occurred during the same period.
Duration: 15 years (1862–1877)
Casualties: Approximately 8-12 million, mainly civilians.
How it Ended: The war ended with Qing victory, suppression of the revolt, and mass migrations or flight of Dungan people.
9. Conquests of Timur (1370–1405)
Description: Military campaigns led by Timur (Tamerlane), a Turco-Mongol conqueror, across the Muslim world and India, resulting in the establishment of the Timurid Empire.
Duration: 35 years (1370–1405)
Casualties: Estimates range from 8-20 million.
How it Ended: The military campaigns ceased upon Timur’s death in 1405.
10. An Lushan Rebellion (755–763)
Description: A devastating rebellion against the Tang Dynasty of China. The rebellion and subsequent disorder resulted in a huge loss of life and large-scale destruction.
Duration: 8 years (755–763)
Casualties: Estimates of the death toll range from 13-36 million.
How it Ended: The rebellion was quashed by Tang forces, aided by allied city states and tribes.
11. Seven Years’ War (1756–1763)
Description: A global conflict fought between 1756 and 1763, and involving every European great power of the time except the Ottoman Empire, spanning five continents and affecting Europe, the Americas, West Africa, India, and the Philippines.
Duration: 7 years (1756–1763)
Casualties: Approximately 1.3 million.
How it Ended: The Treaty of Paris ended the war in 1763, marking the beginning of an extensive period of British dominance outside of Europe.