The word revolution is derived from the Latin ‘revolutio’, meaning ‘a turn around’. Revolution results in a mutational change in organizational structure quite amazingly in a short period of time. Revolution brings about a change in the power too.
Revolutions took place through history. It is interesting to note that apart from the change in power, revolution brings about change in cultural and economical situations as well of a country or a region. Socio-political scenario gets completely changed by a revolution.
Some of the important revolutions that took place around the world at different times include the Glorious Revolution in 1688, the French Revolution (1789-1799), the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Chinese Revolution (1927-1949).
It is interesting to note that the term revolution is used to indicate changes that take place outside the political arena. Culture, philosophy, society and technology have undergone marked transformations by these revolutions.
A civil war is defined as a war that takes place between two organized groups within the same nation state. In short it can be described as a war between factions in the same country. One of the best examples of a civil war is the American Civil War (1861-1865). It is otherwise called as the War Between the States that took place as a civil war in the United States of America.
It is important to know that the two organized groups that take part in the civil war are normally bent upon creating their own governments and having organized military. Civil wars sometimes result in the restoration of balanced power in a country. In most cases it would result in the formation of more oppressive government. It depends of course on who wins the conflict ultimately.
The most important difference between a revolution and a civil war is that civilians directly revolt against the government in a revolution