Table of Contents
I. Introduction
The vast tapestry of human history is colored by wars. These wars have left indelible marks on the world we live in today and has shaped nations, cultures, and civilizations. From the countless wars that humanity engaged in, some conflicts stand out due to their sheer scale of destruction and loss of life. Following is a list of the ten deadliest wars in history, ranked by the number of human casualties.
II. Top 10 Bloodiest Wars of All Time
1. World War II (1939–1945)
The Second World war was arguably the deadliest war ever fought in history. It was the first conflict of global scale that engulfed nations across the world in a deadly war that lasted for six years and caused millions of deaths. With battles fought in every nook and cranny of the world, this deadly conflict claimed the lives of 70 to 85 million people. This scale of death and destruction was unprecedented up until that point in history; it was, in fact, the deadliest military conflict in history. The most casualties occurred in China and Soviet Union, and the deaths from these two countries accounted for more than half of the total casualties. The deaths occurred not only due to military conflict but also because of war-time famine, genocides, and war crimes.
2. The Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864)
The civil war that occurred in 1850 in China between the Qing Dynasty and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom lasted for 14 years and claimed the lives of 20 to 30 million people. As much as 10 percent of the total population of China perished due to this war. Most of the deaths occurred due to famine, resulting from destruction of infrastructure and the plague that started during the war. The widespread violence and destruction devastated the nation, leaving entire cities in ruin and millions of people either dead or displaced. The war ultimately resulted in Qing victory but at a great cost to the nation’s economy and integrity. The war was fought on ideological lines that espoused social and economic reform, including the abolition of private property, gender equality, and redistribution of land. The rebellion was led by a self-proclaimed messiah named Hong Xiuquan, who claimed to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ.
3. World War I (1914–1918)
The first global scale war was World War I and it started in 1914 and lasted until 1918. Marked by deadly trench warfare and technological innovation, the First World War claimed the lived of 15 to 20 million people. The war left a trail of devastation in its wake and caused widespread destruction around the world. Two coalition, the Allies and the Central Powers fought for global supremacy and the war quickly spread around the world, including the Middle East, Africa, the Pacific, and Asia.
4. Mongol Conquests (1206–1368)
The Mongol Conquests that occurred during the medieval era was a series of conquest of Asia and Europe by the Mongol hordes led by Genghis Khan and his successors. The hordes unleashed a wave of destruction that spanned from the steppes of Asia to the heart of Europe as they conquered every nation they came across. It is estimated that between 40 to 70 million people died due to the Mongol invasions and conquests. Terror and mass extermination was a strategic tactic of the Mongols and they destroyed everything they came across. The devastation that was unleashed in the wake of their conquests is regarded as one of the deadliest episodes of human history. In fact, it is estimated that the Mongol Conquest resulted in the death of 11 percent of the total population of Eurasia.
5. European Wars in the Americas (1492–1691)
The large scale colonization of the Americas during the Age of Discovery left millions of native people dead in its wake. The colonization started during the 15th century and the wars continued until the 19th century and European empires killed millions of natives across continental America. An estimated 8 million to 80 million people died, up to 95 percent of the total population of the continent at the time. Conflict was not the only reason behind the unprecedented population loss; innumerable people also died due to exposure to Afro-Eurasian germs against which the natives had not developed any antibodies. The wiping out of entire groups of people across the Americas due to wars, atrocities, diseases and famine is considered to be a textbook example of genocide by many historians.
6. The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945)
The Second Sino-Japanese War, also known as the Chinese War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, occurred between 1937 to 1946 across Eastern Asia and was fought between the Republic of China and the Japanese Empire. This war is famous because of the atrocities and genocide that was inflicted on the native Chinese population by the Imperial Japanese forces. The scale of Japanese war crimes against the Chinese is considered to be a genocide and is often referred to as the “Asian Holocaust”.
The casualties of this war is estimated to be 15 to 22 million people, most of whom belonged to the Chinese side. The Japanese forces committed unspeakable genocides and atrocities across mainland China. The brutal event of the Rape of Nanjing is a stark reminder of the atrocities inflicted by the Japanese, who engaged in widespread murder, rape, torture and looting, resulting in the casualty of an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers. The Rape of Nanjing has remained a source of contention and wedge issue between People’s Republic of China and Japan, who still denies committing the massacre.
7. An Lushan Rebellion (755–763)
The eight-year civil war that occurred between 755 AD to 763 during the Tang Dynasty also claimed the lives of countless millions. This event also occurred in China and started due to a rebellion seeking to replace the Imperial Government with the Yang dynasty. The war ended after seven years and two months and resulted in Tang Victory and the fall of the Yan dynasty. It is estimated to have caused 13 million casualties.
8. Chinese Civil War (1927–1949)
Another deadly war that claimed the lives of millions is the Chinese Civil War which was fought between 1927 to 1949 between the forces of Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party and other allies. The civil war resulted in total victory for the Chinese Communist Party. Led by the visionary communist ideologue, Mao Zedong, the Chinese Communist Party triumphed in the civil war and laid the foundations of the communist state. The total number of casualties range from 8 million to 11 million, which included both combatants and non-combatants.
9. Russian Civil War (1917–1921)
The Russian Civil War that started during the First World War was one of the deadliest events in Russian history. During the civil war the communist Bolsheviks forces, the Red Army, led by Vladimir Lenin, fought with the White Army and its allies for total control of Russia. This civil war was fought on ideological lines and resulted in the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) or Soviet Union in the end. The execution of the Romanov imperial family of Russia, the Red Terror, and the rise of Stalin are considered major turning points of this war. Total casualties range from 7 to 12 million.
10. Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648)
The Thirty Years’ War takes us back to Europe. It is considered one of the most destructive conflicts in European history, with total casualties estimating from 4.5 million to 8 million. A series of wars were fought mainly in central Europe, mainly on religious lines. During this protracted conflict, casualties occurred not only on the battlefield but also because of widespread famine and diseases. The Thirty Years’ War is considered to be one of the major medical catastrophes in history because of heavy casualties due to diseases and infection.
III. Conclusion
These wars have shaped our history and the horrors they caused provides a glimpse into the darkest aspects of wars and conflicts. They have had profound impact on the world we live in today, changing the course of history and leaving behind legacy of suffering, loss, and devastation. These wars serves as poignant reminders of our shared history and the need to cooperate with each other for sustainable peace.