Longest War Ever: Who Really Won?

Hey guys! Ever wondered about the really, really long wars in history? Like, the ones that make you think, "Wow, they were at it for how long?" Well, let's dive into one of the most notorious examples: the so-called longest war ever. Prepare for a historical deep dive that might just surprise you!

The Hundred Years' War: More Than a Century of Strife

Okay, when we talk about ridiculously long conflicts, the Hundred Years' War is usually one of the first to pop up. Lasting from 1337 to 1453, it technically stretched on for a whopping 116 years! But before you start picturing non-stop battles every single day for over a century, let's break down what really went down. This wasn't one continuous, raging fire of conflict. Instead, it was more like a series of intense flare-ups, punctuated by periods of relative peace—or at least, less intense conflict. Think of it as a complicated, on-again, off-again relationship between England and France, but with way more swords and castles involved.

So, what was all the fuss about? A big part of it came down to who should rule France. The English monarchy, particularly King Edward III, believed they had a rightful claim to the French throne. This claim stemmed from Edward's mother, Isabella, who was the daughter of the French King Philip IV. When the French royal line ran out of direct male heirs, Edward III saw his chance and threw his hat into the ring—or rather, his army into France. Of course, the French weren't exactly thrilled about the idea of an English king ruling them, so they found their own candidate, Philip VI, and things got messy real fast. The conflict wasn't just about crowns and titles. Economic factors played a huge role, too. Both England and France were vying for control over lucrative trade routes and resources, particularly in regions like Flanders (modern-day Belgium and parts of France and Netherlands), which was a major center for the wool trade. Control of these areas meant serious wealth and power, adding fuel to the already burning fire of the conflict.

Now, who came out on top after all those years of fighting? Well, the French definitely emerged as the winners. By the end of the war, the English had been driven out of most of France, with the exception of a small territory around Calais. The French monarchy was secured, and France was on its way to becoming a unified and powerful nation. Key figures like Joan of Arc, who rallied the French troops and inspired them to victory, became national heroes. The English, on the other hand, didn't exactly get what they wanted. They lost their claims to the French throne and suffered significant economic losses. However, the war also had some important long-term effects on England. It helped to solidify English national identity, as the English people began to see themselves as distinct from the French. It also led to significant military and political reforms, setting the stage for England's future as a major European power. So, while the Hundred Years' War might have been a win for France, it was a transformative period for both countries, shaping their destinies in profound ways.

The Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War: A Peaceful Stalemate

Now, let's talk about a war that redefines the term "long-lasting." Forget a hundred years – how about three hundred and thirty-five? That's the duration of the curiously named Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War, fought between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago off the coast of Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The kicker? Not a single shot was fired. Seriously, zero. So, how does a war last for over three centuries without any actual fighting? It's a story of historical quirks, forgotten declarations, and a whole lot of peaceful coexistence.

The roots of this unusual conflict go back to the English Civil War in the mid-17th century. The Netherlands, at the time, was allied with the Parliamentarian forces against the Royalists. The Isles of Scilly, however, were a Royalist stronghold. In 1651, after the Parliamentarians gained control of mainland England, the Dutch fleet, under Admiral Maarten Tromp, sailed to the Isles of Scilly. The Dutch had suffered losses at the hands of Royalist ships based in the Scillies and sought reparations. When they didn't receive any, Tromp declared war on the islands. However, things quickly fizzled out. The Dutch fleet soon left, and the English Civil War ended shortly afterward with the Parliamentarian victory. The declaration of war, however, was never officially rescinded. And so, the state of war between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly remained technically in effect for the next 335 years, unnoticed and unremarked upon.

Fast forward to 1985, when a historian named Roy Duncan, who was also chairman of the Isles of Scilly Council, decided to investigate the local history. He stumbled upon the long-forgotten declaration of war and realized that the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly were still technically at war. Duncan contacted the Dutch Embassy in London, and the situation was brought to the attention of the Dutch government. Both sides saw the absurdity of the situation and agreed to formally declare peace. In 1986, Dutch Ambassador Rein Huydecoper traveled to the Isles of Scilly to sign a peace treaty, officially ending the longest war in history – a war in which nobody had been hurt and no shots had been fired. The Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War is a testament to the power of bureaucracy and the sometimes-absurd nature of history. It's a reminder that not all conflicts involve violence and that sometimes, the most enduring wars are the ones that nobody even notices.

The Arauco War: A Battle for Indigenous Sovereignty

Let's journey to South America, where we find another contender for the title of the longest war: the Arauco War. This conflict spanned over three centuries, from 1536 to 1818, pitting the Spanish conquistadors and, later, the Chilean state against the Mapuche people, the indigenous inhabitants of south-central Chile and Argentina. Unlike the Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War, this was no bloodless affair. The Arauco War was a brutal and protracted struggle for land, resources, and cultural survival.

The conflict began with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. The Spanish, driven by their insatiable thirst for gold and land, sought to colonize the Mapuche territories. However, they quickly discovered that the Mapuche were no pushovers. Fiercely independent and skilled warriors, the Mapuche put up a fierce resistance to the Spanish invasion. The war was characterized by a series of shifting alliances, betrayals, and brutal battles. The Spanish established forts and settlements, while the Mapuche launched raids and ambushes. Key figures like Lautaro, a Mapuche warrior who had once been a captive of the Spanish, emerged as leaders of the indigenous resistance, employing innovative military tactics to defeat the Spanish forces. The war wasn't just about military clashes. It was also a cultural and ideological struggle. The Spanish sought to impose their language, religion, and way of life on the Mapuche, while the Mapuche fought to preserve their own traditions and beliefs. Missionaries attempted to convert the Mapuche to Christianity, while the Spanish authorities implemented policies aimed at suppressing Mapuche culture.

After Chile gained independence from Spain in the early 19th century, the conflict continued, with the Chilean state taking over the Spanish colonial project. The Chilean government sought to incorporate the Mapuche territories into the newly formed nation, often through violent means. The Mapuche continued to resist, fighting to defend their land and autonomy. While the Arauco War is generally considered to have ended with Chile's independence, the conflict between the Mapuche and the Chilean state has continued in various forms to the present day. The Mapuche continue to fight for their rights, seeking greater autonomy, land rights, and recognition of their cultural identity. The legacy of the Arauco War is still felt in Chile today, shaping the relationship between the Mapuche people and the Chilean state. It serves as a reminder of the long and often brutal history of colonization and indigenous resistance in the Americas.

So, Who Really Won the Longest War?

So, after all that, who can we definitively say won the longest war in the world? Well, it's complicated. Each of these conflicts offers a different perspective on what it means to "win" a war. In the case of the Hundred Years' War, France emerged victorious in terms of securing its monarchy and driving out the English. But the war also had profound effects on England, shaping its national identity and political development. The Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War is a bizarre case of a war where nobody fought and nobody really lost. It's a reminder that not all conflicts are violent and that sometimes, peace can prevail even in the absence of formal treaties. As for the Arauco War, it's a conflict that continues to resonate today. While the Spanish and, later, the Chilean state were able to exert control over Mapuche territories, the Mapuche people never fully surrendered. They continue to fight for their rights and preserve their culture, making it difficult to declare a clear winner. Ultimately, the question of who won the longest war depends on how you define victory. Is it about military conquest, political control, or cultural survival? Each of these conflicts offers a different answer, reminding us that history is rarely simple and that the concept of winning can be a very subjective thing.

So next time someone asks you about the longest war in the world, you can impress them with your knowledge of the Hundred Years' War, the Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War, and the Arauco War. And remember, sometimes the most interesting wars are the ones where nobody wins—or loses—completely. Keep exploring, guys! There's always more to discover in the fascinating world of history!