Top 10 Bloodiest Wars of the Last Century
#10 – Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005)
Eleven years after half a million died in the First Sudanese Civil War, north and south Sudan returned to violent fighting for over two decades. With the Sudan People’s Liberation Army representing the south and the central Sudanese government fighting for the north, the war included thousands of child soldiers and millions of displaced people. After the 2005 peace agreement, the death toll was estimated at about 2 million.
#9 – Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War, this conflict took place in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In an attempt to stop North Vietnam from spreading communism, the U.S. backed non-communist South Vietnam, and because of this, the conflict is also known as the American War in Vietnam. Though the two states were eventually united, the air, ground and guerilla warfare practiced in Vietnam caused up to 3 million mortalities.
#8 – Korean War (1950-1953)
Falling within the Cold War, this conflict occurred between right-wing South Korea and communist North Korea. After the Korean Peninsula was divided following the end of the Pacific War, tensions increased with North Korea’s invasion of South Korea in 1950. Two million deaths later, an armistice agreement and the institution of the Korean Demilitarized Zone along the 38th parallel finally resolved the war.
#7 – Soviet War in Afghanistan (1979-1989)
After over nine years of fighting, it’s not shocking to discover that this war resulted in over 2 million fatalities, even more refugees, and thousands of missing or wounded soldiers. Also part of the Cold War, this conflict pitted Soviet Union-backed Afghan forces against Mujahideen rebels, who were supported by various countries worldwide. Though the Soviets eventually left, instability continued in the country thereafter with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
#6 – Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)
The Nigerian-Biafran War began several years after Nigeria became independent from Britain. It was caused by the conflicts that arose between multiple ethnic groups and their differing cultural and religious values. The Igbo people in particular desired separation to become the Republic of Biafra. Though the Biafrans were ultimately absorbed back into the country, three million were dead from the fighting, starvation and illness.
#5 – Second Congo War (1998-2003)
With nine African nations and over 20 armed units, the Great War of Africa was the worst conflict the region had ever seen. It erupted shortly after the First Congo War, which resulted in Laurent-Désiré Kabila’s taking over the government, and expanded amid growing tensions with Rwanda and Uganda. Marked by the use of rape, as well as other weapons, the Second Congo War resulted in over 5 million dead from sickness and famine, with much tension continuing today.
#4 – Russian Civil War (1917-1922)
This civil war broke out after the Bolsheviks staged a coup d’état during the Russian Revolution and launched the first socialist state. Along with the White Army’s anti-Bolsheviks, several armies from other nations gathered to protest the Red Army’s new government. The ensuing battles left between 5-9 million dead and cleared the path for Joseph Stalin to become leader of the Soviet Union following Vladimir Lenin’s death.
#3 – Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)
Though there’d been some fighting between China and Japan in the early ‘30s, full-scale war really exploded in 1937 following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and the Japanese invasion of China. The conflict then became entwined with the Second World War after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. As more countries in the region became involved in this Pacific War, more people were affected. By war’s end, over 20 million were dead, wounded, sick or missing.
#2 – World War I (1914-1918)
With all the world’s great powers participating, the First World War pitted the Allies against the Central Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary. It became one of world’s worst global conflicts to that point because of its use of high-tech weapons and millions of soldiers for human wave attacks. With over 35 million lives lost, the war’s been said to have also laid the foundation for World War II.
#1 – World War II (1939-1945)
Considering ‘world’ is in its name, it’s not surprising that the Second World War tops the list. So many of the planet’s nations were involved it’s been estimated that over 70 million deaths occurred. From the over 100 million who fought in the military to the civilians mass murdered in the Holocaust or by nuclear warfare, this global conflict truly changed history. Wartime violence often results in the unnecessary loss of life, security, homes, wealth and more. It’s important that we learn from our past so we don’t repeat it. Be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com for more historical top 10s.