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GCSE History · key term
A war between opposing groups within the same country.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Paper 1, Paper 2
Revise: End of French Colonial RuleAs rival forces fought for control of South Vietnam’s countryside, the conflict developed into a civil war.
Paper 2, Paper 3
Revise: England in 1216Civil war had battered royal authority and the machinery of government. John therefore left behind not a secure kingdom ready for a peaceful change of ruler, but a divided country whose government needed rebuilding.
A war between opposing groups within the same country or empire. The Inca civil war involved Atahuallpa and Huascar competing for their father's throne.
A war between rival groups within the same country over political power or control of territory.
A war between rival groups within the same country for control of its government or territory.
Paper 2
A war between rival groups within the same state.
Revise: Cleopatra's Accession and the Ptolemaic Civil WarThe Egyptian conflict then became entangled with Rome’s own civil war. After Caesar defeated Pompey at Pharsalus in August 48 BC, Pompey sought refuge in Egypt, expecting help from the family of his former client, Ptolemy XII. Instead, Ptolemy XIII’s advisers arranged his murder in September 48 BC.
A war between opposing groups within the same state. At Actium, Romans fought on both Octavian’s and Antony’s sides, although Antony also had Egyptian and other eastern allies.
Paper 2, Paper 3
A war between opposing groups within the same country, often over who should govern.
Revise: The Norman Conquest and the Feudal SystemAn intermittent civil war followed during Stephen’s reign, 1135–1154, often called the Anarchy. Loyalties could shift. Robert, Earl of Gloucester, initially supported Stephen but later backed Matilda.
A war between opposing groups within the same country or political community.
Explain significance through consequences: the civil war divided the Incas, which helped Pizarro exploit rivalries and obtain local support.
Explain the civil war through both the rivalry within the royal family and Roman intervention: Cleopatra’s relationship with Caesar alone does not explain its outbreak.
Distinguish Ptolemy XIII, Cleopatra’s opponent in the civil war, from Ptolemy XIV, her later co-ruler.
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