The term War of Independence is generally used to describe a war occurring over a territory that has declared independence. Once the state that previously held the territory sends in military forces to assert its sovereignty or the native population clashes with the former occupier, a separatist rebellion has begun. If a new state is successfully established, the conflict is subsequently known as a war of independence. The term "War of Independence" became current mainly after the American one; however, previous wars sometimes got the name retroactively - such as the Dutch War of Independence, originally known as the "Eighty Years War" and still often called by that name in the Netherlands themselves.

Examples include:

See also

• Breakaway states
• Wars of national liberation

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