It is said that war is already obsolete in today’s age. And this might be true considering the numerous wars that were waged centuries ago which underscored disputes over political supremacy, repelling a foreign country’s occupation over the lands of the indigents, colonizing smaller countries one by one to create an empire, among others. And these wars lasted for more than decades! Have you read about the conflict between the Netherlands and Isles of Scilly which lasted for almost 335 years? It was already even forgotten by both countries until it was discovered by a local historian, resulting in a peace treaty and ending the bloodless war. Get to know more about it in this list of 10 Longest Wars in History!
10 – Vietnam War – 19 years
The Vietnam war was a proxy war that occurred between the neighboring countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 1955 when the French departed the country in 1954-1955. During this 19-year conflict, the United States Army took over the maintenance of the country to prevent a communist takeover in Southern Vietnam. It ended in April 1975 when the North Vietnamese Army captured Saigon and the entirety of the South. And on the following year, the North and South Vietnam were finally consolidated into “Socialist Republic of Vietnam.”
9 – Great Northern War – 21 years
The Great Northern War was a 21-year conflict during the 17th century instigated by countries of Russia, Denmark-Norway, and Poland against Sweden, which was reigning at that time over the areas around the Baltic Sea in its drive to create an empire over Europe. Sweden from Russia’s claim possessed these areas. When the continuous war ensued and was aided by other countries that want to stifle Sweden’s supremacy, Russia won the war and was able to repossess back the Baltic islands.
8 – Peloponnesian War – 27 years
From 431-404 B.C, the city-state of Athens, together with its allies, and the city-state of Sparta through its Peloponnesian League, went on war. Throughout its 27-year conflict, the war entered into three phases: first was the Archimadian War (431-421 B.C) wherein Sparta invaded the Atlantica while the Athens secured the Peloponnesian coast, resulting to an agreement known as the Peace of Nicias; second is the war during 413-415 B.C. between the state of Athens and Syracuse; and lastly is the Decelean War (413-404 B.C) wherein Sparta won against Athens through the help of the Persian empire and, consequently, ended the war.
7 – Wars of the Roses – 30 years
The 30-year conflict of the Wars of the Roses started from 1455, at the St. Albans, to 1487. It was a series of civil wars fought between the House of Lancaster and the House of York for the supremacy in England. It was known to be the Wars of the Roses because both city-states had a symbol of the rose in their flags: a red rose for the Lancastrians and a white one from the Yorkists. Although, many historians believe that the conflict started earlier in 1399 when Henry IV took over Richard II’s crown.
6 – Thirty Years War
Aptly known as the Thirty Years War, the conflict endured from 1618 to 1648. It was a series of wars which started from the dispute between the Protestants and the Catholics in the Holy Roman Empire, following the Reformation period. However, it eventually grew to a larger conflict involving other European powers who fought over political supremacy within the empire. These rivalries include those between the Bourbons and the Habsburgs, who both wanted to take control over the entire political arena. The war was considered to be the last major religious war in Europe.
5 – Guatemalan Civil War – 36 years
Known as one of the longest civil wars in the world, the Guatemalan Civil War lasted from 1960 to 1996 – almost 36 years of conflict! It started when a small group of dissidents staged a revolution in 1960 when the country was suffering under the autocratic rule of the Guatemalan regime. Over the years, other dissidents formed groups, one after another, and remained in armed conflict against the government. The conflict ended upon the signing of a peace treaty between the government and the leftist guerrilla factions in 1996.
4 – Greco-Persian Wars – 52 years
The Greco-Persian Wars are a series of wars during 499 – 448 B.C, lasting for over 52 years! It was a war of supremacy on mainland Greece between the city-state of Persia and several city-states of Greece. It continued this long because the Greeks were able to prevent the Persian Empire from invading their lands. However, the latter still won, ruled over the territory, and ended the war. As history reveals, not all city-states in Greece fought against the Persians, but some fought alongside the Persian army or remained neutral during the conflict.
3 – The Hundred Years War – 116 years
Technically, The Hundred Years War lasted for 116 years – a series of conflicts between the countries of England and France from 1337 – 1453. It started when King Edward III of England invaded the country of France and ruled over its land as its King. For many years, England continued to usurp France’s lands. However, in 1429, France, with the help of Scotland, was able to defy England’s reign until it was completely liberated from the English rule in 1436 and exiling the English entirely in 1453.
2 – Arauco War – 290 years
If a hundred years of war is not long enough, here is a 290-year conflict – the Arauco War. The war started from the Battle of Reynogüelén in 1536, between the Spaniard invaders and the Mapuche, the indigenous people of Chile and Argentina. Underscoring this conflict is the fight for freedom of the indigents from the occupation of Spain. It lasted for so long because the Mapuche remained independent from Spanish rule because they were geographically separated through the Bio Bio River. The war ended when the Chilean War of Independence won over against the Spaniards, and a peace treaty was signed in January 1825.
1 – Three Hundred and Thirty-Five Years War
The longest war in history is the Three Hundred and Thirty-Five Years war between the Netherlands and Isles of Scilly- and it is also the most bloodless conflict of all time! This war started in 1651, following the English civil war, which lasted for ten years. At that time, the Royalists lost from the English Parliament, and they were forced to retreat to the Isles of Scilly in the Cornish Coast. Then, the Netherlands, being allies of the Parliament forces, sent the Dutch Navy to attack the Royalist forces. When the Dutch Navy was beaten, they decided to wage war against Scilly, However, on the following year, the Parliamentarians were able to claim the isles of Scilly again, and the Dutch forgot all about the war – until a local historian discovered the obscure conflict in 1985! So, in April 1986, a peace treaty was signed between the two countries which ended the bloodless war.
