The similarities:
A. leadership--both sets of leaders were predominantly dedicated, focused, and inspiring to their men.
B. causes of the wars--both wars were waged in the name of unity, the American Revolutionary War for unity of the colonies of America, and the Civil War for the unity (preservation) of the Union.
C. where they were fought--both wars were fought on American soil.
D. who fought whom--in both wars, Americans did fight fellow Americans; in the case of the American Revolutionary War, Patriots fought Loyalists (as well as the British); in the case of the American Civil War, Americans from the North fought Americans from the South.
E. duration--both wars were relatively short, less than ten years each ( American Revolutionary War dates are debatable; some say 1776-1781, while others say 1776-1783. The American Civil War lasted from April 1861 to April 1865).
F. outcome of the wars--unity of our nation was the main result of both wars.
The differences:
A. leadership--both American and British leaders served during the American Revolutionary War (along with mercenaries from France and elsewhere); only American leaders served during the American Civil War.
B. causes of the wars--the American Revolutionary War was fought for independence from Britain and unity of the colonies, while the American Civil War was fought for the preservation of the union and over states vs. national powers of government and the issue of slavery.
C. location--the American Revolutionary War was fought within the thirteen original colonies, however, the American Civil War was fought in the South ( primarily in the middle to southeastern United States), only a few battles were fought in the North (the northeastern U.S.).
D. parties involved--the American Revolutionary War involved primarily two groups of people, the British and their loyal colonists (i.e. Loyalists), against the American revolutionists (i.e. Patriots) with the aid of some mercenaries, and to some degree, the French. The American Civil War involved primarily two groups of people, the North (northern citizens, some freed slaves and some escaped slaves) and the South (southern citizens and some slaves).
E. weaponry--the American Revolutionary War involved rudimentary weapons which lent themselves to hand-to-hand combat and close range fighting (e.g.. swords, knives, bayonets, pistols, rifles, and cannons). The American Civil War however involved far deadlier weaponry. Though the same weapons were used in both wars, during the American Civil War, they were more advanced, easier and faster to use, much more accurate and easily repaired due to the fact that many had interchangeable parts.
F. number of casualties-- many thousands died in the American Revolutionary War, however more died in the American Civil War than in all the wars America has entered into since its inception.
G. duration--the American Revolutionary War lasted by some accounts five years, but if the actual treaty marks the end, then it lasted seven years. The American Civil War however lasted four years.
H. strategies--during the American Revolutionary War, numerous strategies were employed as each side became better acquainted with the strengths and weaknesses of the other. The Patriots relied on “guerrilla” tactics, while the British seemed to hold onto the “traditional” style of fighting (all in a line, organized, easily spotted, dressed in red...) Strategy was particularly difficult for the Patriots as their army was not comprised of soldiers in the traditional sense, instead it had random numbers of colonists with widely varying levels of military skills in its ranks at any one time. British strategies, though sometimes effective, were often ineffective against Patriots familiar with the land and able to blend in with the scenery! During the American Civil War, the North used the Anaconda plan which included trying to keep the war in the south, use blockades to prevent access to help from the sea, and to weaken and invade the South. The South planned to defend its territory, with the support of Britain and France, until the North tired of the war.
I. outcomes of the wars--the American Revolutionary War ended with Britain releasing its American colonies and with the establishment of the United States of America. The American Civil War ended with far greater devastation, yet with the Union intact. The 13th Amendment soon followed, officially abolishing slavery.
