The largest wars in the history of mankind in terms of the number of deaths.
The earliest war known to have been excavated took place approximately 14,000 years ago.
It is impossible to calculate the exact number of victims, because in addition to the death of soldiers on the battlefield, there is the death of civilians from the effects of weapons of war, as well as the death of civilians from the consequences of hostilities, for example, from hunger, hypothermia, and disease.
Below is a list of the largest wars by the number of victims.
The reasons for the wars indicated below are very different, but the number of victims exceeds millions.
1. Civil War in Nigeria (Biafra War of Independence). The death toll is over 1,000,000.
The main conflict was between the government forces of Nigeria and the separatists of the Republic of Biafra. The self-proclaimed republic was supported by a number of European states, among them, such as France, Portugal, and Spain. Nigeria was supported by England and the USSR. The UN did not recognize the self-proclaimed republic. Weapons and finances were sufficient on both sides. The main victims of the war were the civilian population, who died of starvation and various diseases.
2. Imjin war. The death toll is over 1,000,000.
1592 - 1598. Japan made 2 attempts to invade the Korean Peninsula in 1592 and 1597. Both invasions did not lead to the capture of the territory. The first invasion by Japan involved 220,000 soldiers, several hundred combat and transport ships.
The Korean troops were defeated, but at the end of 1592, China transferred part of the army to Korea, but was defeated; in 1593, China transferred another part of the army, which managed to achieve some success. Peace was made. The second invasion in 1597 was not successful for Japan and in 1598 hostilities were stopped.
3. Iran–Iraq War (death toll: 1 million)
1980-1988 years. The longest war in the 20th century. The war began with the invasion of Iraq on September 22, 1980. The war can be called positional - trench warfare, using small arms. Chemical weapons were widely used in the war. The initiative passed from one side to another, so in 1980 the successful offensive of the Iraqi army was stopped, and in 1981 the initiative passed to the side of Iraq. On August 20, 1988, a truce was signed.
4. Korean War (death toll: 1.2 million)
1950-1953 years. War between North and South Korea. The war started with an invasion North Korea to the territory South Korea. Despite the support of North Korea by the Soviet Union, Stalin opposed the war, because he feared that this conflict could lead to World War 3 and even nuclear war. On July 27, 1953, a ceasefire agreement was signed.
5. Mexican Revolution (death toll between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000)
1910-1917. The revolution fundamentally changed the culture of Mexico and the policies of the government. But at that time the population of Mexico was 15,000,000 people and the losses during the revolution were significant. The prerequisites for the revolution were very different, but as a result of the valuable millions of victims, Mexico strengthened its sovereignty and weakened its dependence on the United States.
6. The conquests of Chuck's army. First half of the 19th century. (death toll 2,000,000 people)
The local ruler Chaka (1787 - 1828) founded the state - KwaZulu. He raised and armed a large army, which conquered disputed territories. The army plundered and ravaged the tribes in the occupied territories. The victims were the local Aboriginal tribes.
7. Goguryeo-Sui wars (death toll 2,000,000)
These wars include a series of wars between the Chinese Sui Empire and the Korean state of Goguryeo. The wars took place on the following dates:
· war of 598
· war of 612
· war of 613
· war of 614
In the end, the Koreans managed to repel the advance of the Chinese troops and win.
The total number of human casualties is much higher because civilian casualties are not taken into account.
8. religious wars in France (death toll between 2,000,000 and 4,000,000)
The religious wars in France are also known as the Huguenot wars. Occurred between 1562 and 1598. They arose on religious grounds as a result of a conflict between Catholics and Protestants (Huguenots). In 1998, the Edict of Nantes was adopted, which legalized freedom of religion. On August 24, 1572, Catholics staged a mass beating of Protestants, first in Paris, and then throughout France. It happened on the eve of the feast of St. Barthomew, this day went down in history as St. Bartholomew's night, on that day more than 30,000 people died in Paris.
9. Second Congo War (2,400,000 to 5,400,000 dead)
The deadliest war in the history of modern Africa, also known as the African World War and Great War Africa. The war lasted from 1998 to 2003, 9 states and more than 20 separate armed groups participated. The main victims of the war are the civilian population, which died due to disease and starvation.
10. Napoleonic Wars(death toll from 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 people)
The Napoleonic Wars are an armed conflict between France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, and a number of European states, including Russia. Thanks to Russia, Napoleon's army was defeated. Different sources give different data on the victims, but the largest number scientists believe that the number of victims, including civilians from hunger and epidemics, reaches 5,000,000 people.
11. Thirty Years' War (Death toll between 3,000,000 and 11,500,000)
1618 - 1648. The war began as a conflict between Catholics and Protestants in the crumbling Holy Roman Empire, but a number of other states were gradually drawn into it. The number of victims of the Thirty Years' War, according to most scholars, is 8,000,000 people.
12. Chinese Civil War (death toll 8,000,000)
The Chinese Civil War was fought between forces loyal to the Kuomintang (a political party of the Republic of China) and forces loyal to the Communist Party of China. The war began in 1927 and essentially ended when the main active fighting ceased in 1950. Although historians give the end date of the war as December 22, 1936, the conflict eventually led to the formation of two de facto states, the Republic of China (now known as Taiwan) and China People's Republic in mainland China. During the war, both sides carried out massive atrocities.
13. Russian Civil War (death toll between 7,000,000 and 12,000,000)
1917 - 1922. The struggle for power of various political directions, armed groups. But basically the two largest and most organized forces fought - the Red Army and the White Army. The civil war in Russia is considered the greatest national catastrophe in Europe, in the entire history of its existence. The main victims of the war are the civilian population.
14. Wars led by Tamerlane (number of victims from 8,000,000 to 20,000,000 people)
In the second half of the 14th century, Tamerlane waged cruel, bloody conquests in Western, South, Central Asia, in southern Russia. Tamerlane became the most powerful ruler in the Muslim world, conquering Egypt, Syria and the Ottoman Empire. Historians believe that 5% of the total population of the Earth died at the hands of his soldiers.
15. Dungan uprising (number of victims from 8,000,000 to 20,400,000 people)
1862 - 1869. The Dungan uprising is a war on ethnic and religious grounds between the Han (a Chinese ethnic group originally from East Asia) and Chinese Muslims. At the head of the rebels against the existing government were the spiritual mentors of Xinjiao, who declared jihad unfaithful.
16. Conquest of the North and South America(number of victims from 8,400,000 to 148,000,000 people)
1492 - 1691. During the 200 years of colonization of America, tens of millions of the local population were killed European colonizers. However, there is no exact number of victims, since there are no initial estimates of the original size of the indigenous population of America. The conquest of America is the largest extermination of the indigenous population by other peoples in history.
17. An Lushan rebellion (number of victims from 13,000,000 to 36,000,000 people)
755 - 763 AD Rebellion against the Tang Dynasty. According to scientists, up to two children of the entire population of China could die during this conflict.
18. First World War(number of victims 18,000,000 people)
1914-1918 years. War between groups of states in Europe and their allies. The war claimed 11,000,000 servicemen who died directly during the fighting. 7,000,000 civilian population died during the war.
19. Taiping Rebellion (20,000,000 - 30,000,000 casualties)
1850 - 1864. Revolt of peasants in China. The Taiping Rebellion spread throughout China against the Manchu Qing Dynasty. With the support of England and France, the Qing troops brutally suppressed the rebels.
20. Manchu conquest of China (25,000,000 casualties)
1618 - 1683 years. Qing Dynasty war, to conquer territories of the Ming Dynasty.
As a result of long wars and various battles, the Manchu dynasty managed to conquer almost all the strategic territories of China. The war claimed tens of millions human lives.
21. Sino-Japanese War (25,000,000 - 30,000,000 casualties)
1937 - 1945. War between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. Separate fighting started in 1931. The war ended with the defeat of Japan with the help of allied forces, mainly the USSR. The United States launched 2 nuclear strikes on Japan, destroying the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On September 9, 1945, the government of the Republic of China accepted the surrender from the commander of Japanese troops in China, General Okamura Yasuji.
22. Wars of the Three Kingdoms (number of victims 36,000,000 - 40,000,000 people)
220-280 AD Not to be confused with war (England, Scotland and Ireland between 1639 and 1651). The war of three states - Wei, Shu and Wu for complete power in China. Each side tried to unite China under its command. The bloodiest period in the history of China, which led to millions of victims.
23. Mongol conquests (number of victims 40,000,000 - 70,000,000 people)
1206 - 1337 raids on the territories of Asia and of Eastern Europe with the formation of the state Golden Horde. The raids were distinguished by their cruelty. The Mongols spread the bubonic plague over vast territories, from which people died, not having immunity to this disease.
24. World War II (number of victims 60,000,000 - 85,000,000 people)
The most brutal war in the history of mankind, when people were destroyed on a racial and ethnic basis with the help of technical devices. The extermination of peoples was organized by the rulers of Germany and their allies, led by Hitler. Up to 100,000,000 servicemen fought on the battlefields on both sides. With the decisive role of the USSR, fascist Germany and its allies were defeated.
Almost any significant date in the history of mankind is associated with a military conflict, if not with victory or defeat, then at least with their consequences. Wars are unleashed in the struggle for territories, resources, power, ideas, and even desecrated honor. Their cruelty sometimes frightens the imagination. Bloody battles, millions of dead, destruction, pain and suffering of the survivors - what was it for?
We did not dare to arrange wars based on the nominal number of victims, because the magnitude of the losses does not always indicate the degree of bitterness. Many wars were accompanied by epidemics, famines and other things, causing most of the losses. In addition, the losses in the war 2000 years ago are not commensurate with modern ones, since then only 300,000,000 people lived on Earth, and now 25 times more.
| N | date(Years) | Victims(Human) | |
| 1 | 66-73 | 800 000 | |
| 2 | 220-280 | 40 000 000 | |
| 3 | 755-763 | 15-35 000 000 | |
| 4 | 1207-1308 | 50-70 000 000 | |
| 5 | 1492-1691 | 120 000 000 | |
| 6 | 1562-1598 | 4 000 000 | |
| 7 | 1618-1648 | 8 000 000 | |
| 8 | 1616-1662 | 25 000 000 | |
| 9 | 1799-1815 | 3-4 000 000 | |
| 10 | 1816-1828 | 2 000 000 | |
| 11 | 1850-1864 | 20-100 000 000 | |
| 12 | 1910-1920 | 1.5-2 000 000 | |
| 13 | 1914-1918 | 20 000 000 | |
| 14 | 1917-1922 | 20 000 000 | |
| 15 | 1939-1945 | 68 000 000 | |
| 16 | 1927-1950 | 8 000 000 | |
| 17 | 1950-1953 | 1 300 000 | |
| 18 | 1955-1975 | 4 000 000 | |
| 19 | 1980-1988 | 1 500 000 | |
| 20 | 1998-2002 | 5 500 000 |
First Jewish War (66-73 AD)
At the beginning of 66, the oldest of the described military conflicts took place. The Jews of Israel and Palestine rebelled against the Roman invaders. The reason was the looting of the temple treasury by the procurator Flavius.
One of major events ancient war - the siege of Jerusalem by four Roman cohorts led by Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian. In the year 70, when the described events took place, the city was a large, strong fortress with a triple line of defensive walls. The Jews courageously defended themselves and, despite severe hunger, kept the siege for about six months. Having captured the fortress, the Roman army plundered and burned the main shrine of Judaism - the Temple of Jerusalem. During the blockade, 200 thousand people died from exhaustion, and the entire war claimed the lives of more than 800 thousand. The number of those captured and sold into slavery is incalculable.
Wars of the Three Kingdoms in China (220-280)
China of the first millennium of our era is characterized by frequent bloody internecine conflicts. The fall of the ruling Han dynasty led to the division of the country into three kingdoms - Wu in the southeast, Shu in the southwest and Wei in the north.
The new rulers constantly waged bloody wars, trying to seize and subjugate neighboring territories to their power. The sixty-year era of the Three Kingdoms ended in victory northern state Wei and the subjugation of the southern kingdoms. China became a single country again, but only for a few decades. During this historical period, a number of fierce battles took place, which claimed the lives of about 40 million people.
Chinese internecine wars (755 - 763)
One of the biggest bloodshed ancient history It is considered an internecine war in the Chinese provinces during the reign of the Tang Dynasty. The beginning of military conflicts provoked an uprising led by the commander of the border provinces An Lushan, a Turk (or Sogdian) by origin. Declaring himself emperor, the rebel held power for 2 years and was killed by his own eunuch.
Despite the death of the leader, which was carefully concealed, the companions continued the war with the ruling dynastic clan. The last centers of the uprising were able to extinguish only by 763. For 8 years of military confrontation, the population of China has decreased, according to various sources, by 15-35 million people, which at that time amounted to more than half of the entire population of China.
Mongol conquests (1207 - 1308)
The formation of the Mongol Empire, as the largest state in the entire world history happened at the beginning of the 13th century. The area of imperial conquests was about 24 million square meters. km. He laid the foundation for the formation of the great state of Genghis Khan, his warriors conquered Asia and eastern Europe.
The Mongol raids continued for 2 centuries and are considered the longest and deadliest military conflict in human history. The collapse of the great power occurred after the death of Tamerlane, the last famous commander of the Turkic-Mongolian empire. The victories over the Egyptian and Syrian Mamluks, the Delhi Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire won the indisputable authority of his name. During the military conflicts, the population of the conquered countries decreased (according to various estimates) by 50-70 million people, which amounted to 12 to 18% of the inhabitants of the entire planet.
Colonization of the Americas (1492 - 1691)
The beginning of colonial wars in America was laid back in the 10th century, long before Columbus, in the territories of modern Canada. But the period of the most fierce battles falls on the end of the 15th - 18th centuries.
A huge number of Indian tribes lived on the new continent, existing in their own socio-historical "vacuum". The natives did not possess firearms and became easy prey for the first colonizers. Their barbaric extermination, the destruction of culture and the plunder of the natural resources of the continent lasted more than two centuries. It is impossible to calculate the exact number of victims, there is no historical data on the indigenous population of the continent. According to some estimates, the death toll is about 120 million.
Religious Medieval Conflicts in France (1562-1598)
Civil strife in France at the end of the 16th century is known in historical annals like the wars of the Huguenots. The confrontation between the Catholic and Protestant faiths resulted in an innumerable number of bloody military conflicts, and historical disputes are still ongoing about their exact number.
Henry lV put an end to the thirty-year conflict by issuing an edict on the complete equality of Catholics and Protestants. By that time, the loss of the population amounted to about 4 million dead. Oddly enough, but the religious conflict hardened and strengthened France. The end of feudal revolts and the centralization of the state made it the strongest in Europe.
Thirty Years European War (1618 - 1648)
The medieval conflict for political and military supremacy in Central Europe was provoked by the split of the holy Roman papacy. The confrontation between the Protestant and Catholic powers resulted in one of the bloodiest and longest wars in common history Europe. Military operations were carried out on the territories of most large states, the total losses amounted to about 8 million people, including civilians.
This war is considered the last European religious conflict, after which interstate relations began to be exclusively secular. Signing Peace of Westphalia consolidated territorial boundaries and became the main protocol for the conclusion of international treaties.
Manchu conquest of China (1616 - 1662)
The seizure of power in China by the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the last imperial clan of the ancient state, was marked by half a century of bloodshed. One of the ruling Emperor Ming's vassals rebelled and united the northern provinces of the Jurchens under his rule. Declaring himself Khan, Aisingero Nurhatsi led dozens of united tribes to conquer the entire territory of the Chinese kingdom.
Despite the death of the leader in 1626, it was not possible to stop the military conflict. The numerical superiority of the imperial army did not help the Ming dynasty to maintain power, and she suffered a crushing defeat. Another internecine conflict claimed the lives of more than 25 million people.
Napoleonic Wars (1799 - 1815)
Having come to power and proclaiming himself emperor in November 1799, Bonaparte hatched plans to conquer not only Europe, but also world domination. His army made campaigns through the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, leading military companies in Africa and India.
The talented commander significantly expanded the French possessions through military victories and diplomacy. Without hesitation, he tore apart old ones and entered into new, more profitable alliances with other states, pursuing his political goals. This is how 3rd, 4th, 5th coalitions were formed, plus an alliance in the Patriotic War of 1812. Military luck turned away from Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo during the 7th anti-Napoleonic coalition. The number of those killed during military conflicts is from 3 to 4 million people.
Chuck Wars (early 1816 - 1828)
The world did not know the history of the African continent until the appearance of the first Europeans on its coast. The natives did not have a written language. The period of the first half of the 19th century was marked for South Africa the conquests of Chak, the famous Zulu monarch.
Having come to power in 1816, the illegitimate son of Senzangakon began measures to carry out military reforms and mobilized all men aged 20-40 for service. Thanks to the talent of the commander, his army won brilliant victories over superior enemy forces. Chaka increased the territory of his possessions by 100 times, plundering and scattering independent tribes across the south of the continent. According to experts, about 2 million people were exterminated.
Taiping Rebellion (1850 - 1864)
The history of Chinese internecine conflicts is amazing in terms of the number of victims. The seizure of power by the Manchu Qing dynasty and its brutal rule provoked one of the bloodiest "Peasant" wars in Chinese history. Having raised a rebellion with good intentions to liberate the people, the leaders quickly lost control of the conduct of hostilities and drowned the country in a bloody slaughter.
Only documented facts testify to 20 million people who died from violent actions. According to unofficial evidence of historians, the number of victims is about 100 million.
Mexican Revolution (1910 - 1920)
The revolutionary movement in Mexico at the beginning of the 20th century was similar to all the revolutions in the world, but it was distinguished by an extremely high percentage of casualties among the civilian population. With a population of 15 million at that time, according to various estimates, from 1.5 to 2 million died and more than 200 thousand emigrated from the country.
The revolution began with an uprising against the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz, which escalated into a civil war that lasted almost 10 years. This military conflict was of great historical significance. The country gained independence, adopted a new constitution and carried out agrarian reforms. The Mexican Revolution had a great impact on the socio-political life of the entire Latin America 20th century.
First World War (1914 - 1918)
The second decade of the 20th century was marked by one of the largest military campaigns with the participation of first European and then world powers. The beginning of the military conflict was marked by the assassination of the Austrian ambassador in Montenegro. The tense political situation between Germany and England for influence on the European and African bridgehead led to a split of states into two blocs - the Entente with the participation of Russia, Great Britain and France and " Quadruple Union» with the entry of the German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires, as well as the Bulgar kingdom.
The result of bloody battles was the disappearance of political map 4 empires - Germany, Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary and Russia. 35 states were involved in the cycle of the First World War and about 20 million people died on the battlefields, about 45 million died from a catastrophic influenza epidemic.
Russian Civil War (1917 - 1922)
The second revolutionary coup in October 1917 led Russia to a civil confrontation between the adherents of the monarchical system and the Bolshevik Party. A feature of the fratricidal war was the participation of the Entente countries in it, which provoked even greater destruction on the territory of the state and led Russia to a political, economic and civilizational crisis.
The result of military clashes between the two largest military groups - the Red and White Armies, was the destruction of about 20 million people, most of which were the civilian population of the country. The civil clash on the ruins of the Russian Empire has been described by European historians as the greatest national catastrophe.
World War II (1939 - 1945)
The number of victims in the Second World War, the most massive and bloody nightmare of the 20th century, cannot be accurately calculated. 72 states were drawn into the frenzy of the war, and hostilities were conducted on the territories of 40 countries. About 100 million people, including women, the elderly and children, were subjected to military and labor mobilization in the USSR alone.
In full-scale military conflicts, about 28 million soldiers of the opposing armies died. Losses among the civilian population, according to the most conservative estimates, amount to about 60 million human lives. Unfortunately, in our time, attempts are being made to rewrite history and erase the concentration camps and the first nuclear bombings from human memory.
Civil War in China (1927 - 1950)
China, with its multi-million population, beats all records of sacrifice in the struggle for its formation. The protracted conflict between the Kuomintang, supported by the American bourgeoisie, and the Chinese Communist Party lasted more than 20 years. The main hostilities unfolded after the end of World War II and led to the formation of two states - Taiwan (an island state) and the PRC (mainland China).
The war led to the liberation of China from the oppression of the feudal landlords and the dominance of foreign imperialists. The clashes between the opposing armies are remembered for their wild atrocities on both sides. More than 8 million civilians were subjected to torture and destruction.
Korean War (1950 - 1958)
The military conflict on the isthmus of the Korean Peninsula began with the invasion of the PRC army into the territory of its southern neighbor. The rapid advance of the North Korean army forced the United States, and then the United Nations, to take the side of South Korea. Pilots provided support for the DPRK Soviet Union and China.
The intermittent success of the Korean armies caused such severe destruction and losses on both sides that an armistice was agreed, signed in July 1953. By creating a demilitarized zone and exchanging prisoners of war, the Korean states postponed the signing of the peace treaty for an indefinite period and, formally, they are still at war. The military conflict claimed the lives of 1.3 million Koreans.
Vietnam War (1957 - 1975)
The beginning of a large-scale and bloody Vietnam War was marked by an uprising of the communist underground in South Vietnam. After 2 years, the troops of North Vietnam came to the aid of the rebels, and since 1961, the United States directly entered into a military conflict. A contingent of American troops deployed monstrous aerial bombardment northern Vietnam with napalm and chemical weapons. 15% of the entire territory of Vietnam was exposed to toxic substances.
During the military conflict, more than a million Vietkogovtsev - soldiers of North Vietnam and about 2.6 million civilians from both states were killed. The US Army lost about 60 thousand soldiers killed, more than 1800 missing. The consequence of the monstrous war was the birth of more than half a million Vietnamese children with congenital anomalies and malformations at the level of genetic mutations. However, the United States has never been charged with the official use of chemical weapons.
Iran-Iraq armed conflict (1980 - 1988)
Military operations in the Middle East bridgehead in the penultimate decade of the 20th century began with the invasion of the Iraqi army into the sovereign space of Iran. The armed clash was provoked by religious differences and opportunistic sentiments of nearby powers. Attack of the Israeli Air Force on the territories of engineering developments nuclear reactor in Iraq slowed down the country's energy supply program for many years.
The military conflict had dire consequences for both sides, almost no one won. Losses were estimated at 200 thousand soldiers of the Iraqi army and 500 thousand soldiers from Iranian side. In addition, about 25 thousand civilians suffered. In total, the countries lost about one and a half percent of their population.
Great African War (1998 - 2002)
The name of the Second Congolese War on the African continent is associated with one of the most significant bloodsheds of the late 20th century. The conflict was provoked by ethnic contradictions and genocide in the Republic of Rwanda, the consequences of which spread to the territory of the republican democracy of the Congo.
Bloody battles with the direct participation of 9 major continental powers that created more than 20 armed groups led to the destruction of almost 5.5 million people. Sadly, about half of the population died (at the turn of the 21st century!) From epidemics and famine. The military campaign was accompanied by savagery - about half a million women were sexually abused, even five-year-olds were not spared, cases of dismemberment and cannibalism were also recorded.
Blood has replaced ink for most of human history. Get ready to learn about the most brutal wars that have ever been.
Wars over religion, political supremacy or conquest have claimed the lives of tens of millions and soaked the earth in blood.
16 PHOTOS
1. Religious wars in France - 3 million dead. The term itself is common to the numerous conflicts and tensions between Catholics and Huguenots (Protestants) that lasted throughout the 16th century. 
2. Second Congo war - 3,500,000 million. The Second War in the Congo was so bloody and brutal that people began to call it the "Great African War". 
3. Napoleonic Wars - 4.5 million. Out of the chaos of the French Revolution, Napoleon emerged with a desire to bring France to dominance. 
4. Reconquista - 7,000,000 million. The Iberian Peninsula became the epicenter of a bloody conflict that created the first major front where Muslims and Christians killed each other. 
5. Thirty Years' War - 8,000,000 million. The military conflict for hegemony in the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation and Europe, which lasted from 1618 to 1648 and affected almost all European countries to one degree or another. 
6. Civil War in China - 8,000,000 million. Series armed conflicts in China between the forces of the Republic of China and the Chinese Communists in 1927 - 1950. 
7. Civil war in Russia - 9,000,000 million. Red Army and white army face each other in a bloody war that claimed millions of lives and kept the country in turmoil for six years. 
8. Spanish conquest of the Incas - 9,000,000 million. A dark chapter in the history of mankind, which led to the death of 9 million Incas. 
9. An Lushan rebellion - 21,000,000 million. Over 21 million people died in the coup attempt. 
10. The conquest of Mexico - 24,000,000 million. Only 30 years have passed since the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, and the Spaniards were already busy exterminating the local population on an unimaginable scale. 
11. Manchurian conquest of China - 25,000,000 million. The process of extending the power of the Manchu Qing Dynasty to the territory belonging to the Chinese Ming Empire. 
12. Mongol conquests - 35 million. Wars and campaigns of the armies of Genghis Khan and his descendants in the XIII century. in Asia and Eastern Europe. 
13. The era of the Three Kingdoms - 38,000,000 million. The bloodiest military conflict in Chinese history. 
14. World War I - 40,000,000 million. The First World War showed once again how confused the political map of Europe was at that time. 
15. Taiping Rebellion - 44,500,000. Peasant war in China against Manchu Empire Qing and foreign colonizers.
Modern films about the war are full of colorful battles and single fights, in which, of course, the victory is won by main character. At the same time, we still sincerely rejoice at his victory. But how else, he is good, he killed the bad ones - everything converges and is quite logical.
But the war is real life- this is the most terrible phenomenon of society and a manifestation of the true essence of man, in full glory revealing his predatory, ferocious nature. And for centuries, people deliberately commit murder, exterminating enemies and pursuing their “false” goals - political, religious, racial, etc. And the worst thing is that, contrary to the popular belief that “history teaches us not to repeat mistakes,” we history of their existence have not learned to live peacefully.
Swiss Jean-Jacques Babel calculated that in the entire history from 3500 BC. and to this day, humanity has lived peacefully for only 292 years.
But wars were different. It is often difficult to estimate the number of those who died in a war, but if we take the minimum numbers of loss estimates, the picture is as follows.
10. Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815)
The wars that Napoleon Bonaparte waged with various states of Europe from 1799 to 1815 are usually called the Napoleonic Wars. The gifted commander began to redistribute the political map of Europe even before he made the coup of 18 Brumaire and became the First Consul. Hanover campaign, the War of the Third Coalition or the Russian-Austrian-French War of 1805, the War of the Fourth Coalition, or the Russian-Prussian-French War of 1806-1807, which ended with the famous Peace of Tilsit, the War of the Fifth Coalition, or the Austro-French War of 1809, Patriotic War 1812 and the war of the Sixth Coalition of European Powers against Napoleon and, finally, the campaign of the Hundred Days era, which ended with the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, claimed the lives of at least 3.5 million people. Many historians double this figure.
9. Russian Civil War (1917-1923)
In the civil war that followed the 1917 revolution in Russia, more people died than in all of the Napoleonic Wars: at least 5.5 million people, and according to bolder estimates, all 9 million. And although these losses amounted to less than half a percent of the world's population, for our country the war between the Reds and the Whites had the most severe consequences. No wonder Anton Ivanovich Denikin canceled all awards in his army - what awards in a fratricidal war? And, by the way, it is in vain to think that the Civil War ended in 1920 with the Crimean evacuation and the fall of the White Crimea. In fact, the Bolsheviks managed to suppress the last pockets of resistance in Primorye only in June 1923, and the fight against the Basmachi in Central Asia dragged on until the early forties.
8. Dungan uprising (1862)
In 1862, the so-called Dungan uprising against the Qing Empire began in northwestern China. Chinese and non-Chinese Muslim national minorities - Dungans, Uyghurs, Salars - revolted, according to Bolshaya Soviet Encyclopedia, against the national oppression of the Chinese-Manchu feudal lords and the Qing dynasty. English-speaking historians do not fully agree with this and see the origins of the uprising in racial and class antagonism and in the economy, but not in religious strife and rebellion against the ruling dynasty. Be that as it may, but which began in May 1862 in Weinan County, Shaanxi Province, the uprising spread to the provinces of Gansu and Xinjiang. There was no single headquarters of the uprising, and according to various estimates, from 8 to 12 million people suffered in the war of all against all. As a result, the uprising was brutally suppressed, and the surviving rebels were sheltered Russian empire. Their descendants still live in Kyrgyzstan, South Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
7. Ai Lushan Rebellion (8th century AD)
The era of the Tang Dynasty is traditionally considered in China to be the period of the highest power of the country, when China was far ahead of the contemporary countries of the world. And the civil war at that time was to match the country - grandiose. In world historiography, it is called the Ai Lushan uprising. Thanks to the location of Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved concubine Yang Guifei, the Turk (or Sogdian) in the Chinese service, Ai Lushan concentrated enormous power in the army in his hands - under his command were 3 of the 10 border provinces of the Tang Empire. In 755, Ai Lushan rebelled and the following year proclaimed himself emperor of the new Yan Dynasty. And although already in 757 the sleeping leader of the uprising was stabbed to death by his trusted eunuch, it was possible to pacify the rebellion only by February 763. The number of victims is amazing: according to the smallest account, 13 million people died. And if you believe the pessimists and assume that the population of China decreased at that time by 36 million people, then you have to admit that the rebellion of Ai Lushan reduced the population of the world at that time by more than 15 percent. In this case, if you count by the number of victims, it was the largest armed conflict in the history of mankind until World War II.
6. World War I (1914-1918)
The hero of Francis Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby called it "a belated migration of the Teutonic tribes." It was called the war against war, the Great War, the European War. The name with which she lived in history was coined by the military columnist for The Times, Colonel Charles Repington: The First World War.
The starting shot of the world meat grinder was the shot in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. From that day until the truce of November 11, 1918, 15 million died by the most modest measure. If you come across the number 65 million, don’t be alarmed: it also included all those who died from the Spanish flu, the most massive flu pandemic in the history of mankind. In addition to the mass of victims, the result of World War I was the liquidation of four empires: Russian, Ottoman, German and Austria-Hungary.
5. Wars of Tamerlane (14th century)
Remember Vasily Vereshchagin's painting "The Apotheosis of War"? So, originally it was called "The Triumph of Tamerlane", and all because the great eastern commander and conqueror loved to build pyramids from human skulls. I must say that there was no shortage of material: for 45 years aggressive campaigns lame Timur - in Persian Timur-e-Lyang, and in our opinion Tamerlane - put, no less, more than 3.5 percent of the population the globe second half of the 14th century. At least - 15 million, or even all 20. Wherever he just went: Iran, Transcaucasia, India, the Golden Horde, Ottoman Empire– the interests of iron chrome stretched widely. Why "iron"? But because the name Timur, or rather Temur, is translated from the Turkic languages as "iron". By the end of Tamerlane's reign, his empire stretched from Transcaucasia to Punjab. Emir Timur did not manage to conquer China, although he tried - death interrupted his campaign.
4. Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864)
In fourth place is again China, which is not surprising: the country is inhabited. And again, the times of the Qing Empire, that is, turbulent: the opium wars, the Dungan uprising, the Yihetuan movement, the Xinhai revolution ... And the most bloody uprising of the Taipings, which claimed the lives of 20 million people, according to conservative estimates. The indiscreet increase this figure to 100 million, that is, up to 8% of the world's population. The uprising that began in 1850 was essentially a peasant war - disenfranchised Chinese peasants rose up against the Manchu Qing dynasty. The goals were the most benevolent: to overthrow the Manchus, drive out foreign colonialists and create a kingdom of freedom and equality - the Taiping heavenly kingdom, where the very word Taiping means "Great Tranquility". The uprising was led by Hong Xiuquan, who decided that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ. But in a Christian way, that is, mercifully, it did not work out, although the Taiping Kingdom was created in South China, and its population reached 30 million. The "hairy bandits", so called because they rejected the braids imposed on the Chinese by the Manchus, occupied big cities, foreign states got involved in the war, uprisings began in other parts of the empire ... The uprising was suppressed only in 1864, and then only with the support of the British and French.
3. The capture of China by the Manchu dynasty
You will laugh, but ... Again the Qing dynasty, this time the era of the conquest of power in China, 1616-1662. 25 million victims, or almost five percent of the world's inhabitants, is the price of creating an empire founded in 1616 by the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan in Manchuria, that is, present-day northeastern China. Less than three decades later, all of China, part of Mongolia and a large piece of Central Asia were under its rule. The Chinese Ming Empire weakened and fell under the blows of the Great Pure State - Da Qing-guo. What was won with blood held out for a long time: the Qing Empire was destroyed by the Xinhai Revolution of 1911-1912, the six-year-old emperor Pu Yi abdicated the throne. However, he will still be destined to lead the country - the puppet state of Manchukuo, created by the Japanese invaders on the territory of Manchuria and existed until 1945.
2. Wars of the Mongol Empire (13-15 centuries)
Historians call the Mongol Empire a state that emerged in the 13th century as a result of the conquests of Genghis Khan and his successors. Its territory was the largest in world history and stretched from the Danube to the Sea of Japan and from Novgorod to Southeast Asia. The area of the empire is still amazing - about 24 million square kilometers. The number of people who died during the period of its formation, existence and collapse will also not leave indifferent: according to the most optimistic estimates, it is no less than 30 million. Pessimists count all 60 million. True, we are talking about a significant historical period - from the first years of the XIII century, when Temuchin united the warring nomadic tribes into a single Mongolian state and received the title of Genghis Khan and up to standing on the Ugra in 1480, when the Muscovite state under the Grand Duke Ivan III was completely freed from Mongol-Tatar yoke. During this time, from 7.5 to more than 17 percent of the world's population died.
1. World War II (1939-1945)
The most terrible records are held by the Second World War. It is also the most bloody - the total number of its victims is carefully estimated at 40 million, and carelessly at all 72. It is also the most destructive: the total damage of all the warring countries exceeded the material losses from all previous wars combined and is considered equal to one and a half, or even two trillion dollars. This war, and the most, so to speak, world war - 62 states out of 73 that existed at that moment on the planet, or 80% of the world's population, participated in it in one form or another. The war was on the ground, in the sky and at sea - the fighting was fought on three continents and in the waters of four oceans. It was the only conflict so far in which nuclear weapons were used.
Throughout its history, mankind has been in a state of continuous war. Every year, conflicts arise that are resolved not with the help of words and negotiations, but with the help of weapons and the deaths of thousands of innocent people. The struggle is for territory, natural and human resources. IN chronological order starting from the most ancient and ending with the last major war, we list and describe a little the terrible pages of the history of the globe.
Rebellion of Ai Lushan (755-763)
For a long time, the most bloody war in the history of mankind was the civil war in China. Known as the Ai Lushan Mutiny. During this time, China was ruled by the Tang Dynasty. In the service of the emperor was Ai Lushan, who achieved influence in several border provinces.
In 755, he raised a rebellion against the current ruler and proclaimed himself the new emperor. Despite the fact that in 757 the leader of the rebels was killed in a dream, his comrades-in-arms in the struggle for power. They were able to completely suppress the uprising in the country 8 years after the outbreak of unrest in February 763. During the conflict, according to various sources, from 13 to 36 million people died, which is equal to the population of modern Canada 34 million people, and in those days it was 15% of the total population of the planet.
Formation and wars of the Mongol Empire of the 13th-15th centuries
The Mongol Empire is the largest state that has ever existed on Earth. The maximum size reached 24 million square kilometers, a huge empire, on the territory of which many different peoples lived. The formation of the Empire was started by the great warrior Genghis Khan, who united the warring tribes under his leadership.
After the formation of the Mongolian state at the beginning of the 13th century, they conducted continuous military campaigns. For all the time of the wars waged by the Mongol Empire until its collapse in 1480, an order of 60 million people(the population of modern Italy), at that time it was from 10 to 17% of the population of the entire globe.
The coming to power of the Manchu dynasty (1616-1662)
Another struggle for power in China led to death 25 million people it was precisely so many lives that the coming to power of the Manchu dynasty of the last ruling imperial dynasty of China cost. Under the leadership of Nurkhatsi, who united dozens of tribes under his leadership and moved to conquer all of China.
The ruling Ming dynasty at that time had an overwhelming numerical advantage, but due to the stupid command, it suffered a crushing defeat. Despite the death of Nurhatsi in 1626, it was no longer possible to stop the bloodshed. During the struggle for power, about 5% of the world's population, in numerical terms, the population of modern North Korea, died.
Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815)
The wars waged by France under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe and Africa. Napoleon, who came to power on November 9, 1799, had huge plans to seize power not only in France, but also to establish dominance throughout Europe. These wars took place not only on the battlefield, but also at the diplomatic table, the rulers of states were looking for benefits from diplomatic alliances.
Depending on military successes, new and interrupted existing treaties between countries were concluded. Therefore, the Napoleonic Wars consist of various kinds of military conflicts in which there were many different alliances and allies, including: the Third Coalition of 1805, the Fourth Coalition of 1806-1807, the Fifth Coalition of 1808-1809, the Patriotic War of 1812, and so on . During the wars in which most of the countries of Europe were drawn, according to historians, about 3-4 million people, which is the population of present-day Croatia.
World War I (Great War), (1914-1918)
At the beginning of the twentieth century political situation in Europe was heated to the chapel, Germany and Great Britain fought for influence both in Europe and Africa. The assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo was the last straw, and the world plunged into war. A month later, on July 28, 1914, full-scale clashes began.
This military conflict ended on November 11, 1918. After the end of the war with geographical map disappeared, four great empires: Russian, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and German. As a result, 34 states from all over the globe took part in World War I. Died during the war about 65 million people(20 million directly in the fighting and about 45 million people from the mass epidemic of the Spanish flu). Losses in battles in this war are equal to the population of modern Romania.
Participation in World War I, the weakening of the power of the tsar, led to the revolution of 1917 and the collapse of imperial power in Russia. A civil war broke out on the ashes of the tsarist empire. A struggle for power began between the Bolsheviks and the "white movement". Each opposing side pursued its own goals and ideals.
Some wanted a return to the old system, others built new country where power should belong to the people, others robbed and killed, taking advantage of the chaos that arose in the country. In this fratricidal struggle died according to various estimates 5.5 to 9 million people. This is the number of people currently living in Belarus.
World War II (1939-1945)
After the defeat in World War I, the German people needed a new leader who would lead the country to new heights. Such a leader was Adolf Hitler, who came to power in Germany. It is with the name of this person that the most terrible and bloody times that the population of our planet has ever experienced have been associated. The Second World War lasted for a long 6 years, from September 1, 1939 to September 2, 1945, 62 countries out of 73 that existed on Earth at that time took part in it. 80% of the world's population was involved in this conflict.
The battle took place on the ground (on three continents), in the air and even under water (rivers, seas and oceans). In this war, for the first and only time in this moment a terrible weapon was used - nuclear. According to historians, the war claimed the lives of 40 to 72 million people. In our time, the population of only 18 countries exceeds the number of those who died in this terrible battle for peace on Earth.
