NationStates Jolt Archive

You get it.

Which one do you like and what's so incredibly cool about it. If you like one more than those listed, make sure its famous enough that most people are aware of it so there can be some sort of response.

The Franco-Prussian war, because it involved the Paris Commune of 1871...Which could have been a lot cooler had they not been slaughtered... :(

I refuse to call any war “cool”. War is always a terrible thing, though sometimes one has to fight to preserve the things that they believe in. So if pressed, I would say the American Civil War, because it ultimately ended with the restoration of, what was undeniably at the time, the world’s freest society and the ending of slavery in the United States.

I always found the Texas War of Independence and the Mexican War (US vs Mexico) fascinating personally. Probably because I grew up in Texas, visited San Jacinto many times, and Alamo a few times, and Goliad a couple of times too. Plus a couple of the battlefields along the Rio Grande. Having ancesters who fought in it is also a personal link (dead distant cousin at the Alamo, distant ties to Sam Houston on my mothers side and a direct ancestor at San Jacinto as well).

Texas led to the Mexican War, which led directly to the US Civil War, so its a lot more important than a lot of people think.

You missed out the Crimean War?

I would rank that one alongside the 1871 war in terms of interest, because the two were a sort of foretaste of the slow mechanised slaughter of WW1.

Also, they marked a transition in European wars towards ones driven by a state, rather than a monarch.

The Prussian wars because they are an impressive showing of political skill by Bismarck. Not going to war when unnecessary and then going at the right time in the right place is a skill that is sadly missing these days...
Also without them, it is unlikely a unified Germany had existed, possibly even now.
Not that that makes a war "cool", though.

The Napoleonic wars, if only Bony had modified his attack at Waterloo, history as we know it(European anyway) would be totally changed.

New Zealand Wars

New Zealand Wars
Were talking about important wars that effected world history, some battles in a backwater of the world against a bunch of savages doesnt really count.

Were talking about important wars that effected world history, some battles in a backwater of the world against a bunch of savages doesnt really count.

Actually, we're talking about wars that interest us, not how important they were on the political stage.

My own choice would be the war between England and Zanibar in 1896. Not only is it known as the "shortest war in history", but it is also a fascinating example of a British Protectorate standing up and attempting to assert its independence against my country despite realising they couldn't win even in the slightest. It's hard to find detailed info on it though - most of the Google pages are just two-line "interesting trivia" facts. If anyone finds some detailed info, let me know please. :)

Actually, we're talking about wars that interest us, not how important they were on the political stage.
My own choice would be the war between England and Zanibar in 1896. Not only is it known as the "shortest war in history", but it is also a fascinating example of a British Protectorate standing up and attempting to assert its independence against my country despite realising they couldn't win even in the slightest. It's hard to find detailed info on it though - most of the Google pages are just two-line "interesting trivia" facts. If anyone finds some detailed info, let me know please. :)

Fair enough, heres some info on your Zanzibar war.
http://home.globalfrontiers.com/Zanzibar/Zanzibar_Courage.htm

Heaps of good info.

The Franco and Austro-Prussian Wars are what I find most interesting. Partly because of the tactics, diplomacy and technology The begining of Krupps rise to the at one time worlds largest arms manufacturer and their role in the Franco-Prussian war is a fascinating piece of history on its own.

Mostly I like it because I am of German background and more importantly, the fact that three of my ancestors were heavily decorated and highly regarded for their bravery, heroism and in one case, sheer cunning while serving in the Kaisers army. When I was 6 years old, while visiting Germany, my Great-Grandfather told me all about my ancestors and their deeds in that war. So I feel a strong connection to it.

My Great-Grandfather (himself highly decorated in WWI) tried to impress upon me the fact that while that side of the family comes from a long line of war heroes, he hoped like hell I'd never be forced to carry on that tradition. He must have indoctrinated my grandfather and father pretty well too, since my Grandfather showed utter contempt for the German Army, the 2 Iron Crosses and all other medals he won in WWII, and my father moved to Canada to avoid conscription into the German army.

I've heard far too many first hand accounts of what war is like to beleive war is anything but a cruel senseless slaughter. Nonetheless, I do find my self fascinated by the stories and events that take place during war.

Were talking about important wars that effected world history, some battles in a backwater of the world against a bunch of savages doesnt really count.
Just because 'you' cannot understand something dosent make it Savage their Tactical skill ensured their Existence to this day and were not talking about Important As it say Interesting and guess what it is Interesting!

The Napoleonic wars, if only Bony had modified his attack at Waterloo, history as we know it(European anyway) would be totally changed.

Yeah...right...Napoleon only had one army at his disposal, whilst the countries allied against him had the ability to call up far more troops than Boney. Even if he had somehow won Waterloo (what change in attack did you have in mind?), he would not have been able to take the next battle with the casualties he sustained.

The Austrian-Prussian war and the German(Not Prussian)-French war are the 2 that interest me the most.

The Austrian-Prussian war and the German(Not Prussian)-French war are the 2 that interest me the most.
What is this German French War?

The Opium Wars (Britain v China) were just funny when you think about the reasoning behind them. Britain was trying to get rid of opium yet still getting massive amounts of income from the trading of the drug.

What is this German French War?
The war of 1870-1871. Often falsely called the Prussian-French war. I feel it's the wrong name. Allthough Prussia, beeing the largests and strongests German nation was in charge. All German states joined Prussia against France after Napoleon III declared war.

Were talking about important wars that effected world history, some battles in a backwater of the world against a bunch of savages doesnt really count.

How dare you call the European settlers a 'bunch of savages'.

The war of 1870-1871. Often falsely called the Prussian-French war. I feel it's the wrong name. Allthough Prussia, beeing the largests and strongests German nation was in charge. All German states joined Prussia against France after Napoleon III declared war.
Oh fair enough i hoped you were talking about that or id have no clue.

How dare you call the European settlers a 'bunch of savages'.
Yeah the old man in charge was a bit of a fool but Savage is a bit harsh! :eek: .....

I'm sorry to say this, 'cause it was kind of a wimpy war, but the war of 1812. And the reason: it's the only war that the US lost outright. Plus, as many have said, growing up near the battlefields has really sparked an interest in me.

Interesting. No Spanish-American War? The war that really made the United States an international power?

The Texas War of Independence is the most interesting to me. Even though Congress ordered the Army to continue the war effort after Santa Anna had been captured, it was the supply line that stretched 3000 km that finally broke.

If Mexico had had a reliable Navy to feed supplies through Chorpus Christi, history would have been different.

Well, not really that much. The USA would have simply invaded in 1838 instead of 1846.