Quote:
: a war between opposing groups of citizens of the same country


I took the liberty of quoting the definition from your link. One can readily see it proves my point. In the case of the /american /revolution the /war was fought After the colonies had declared their independence from GB. The So-called American Civil /War was fought After the South had declared itself independent from the US.
Getting past my bedtime, will address the rest tomorrow.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra