The 19th century was marked by numerous significant wars that shaped nations and borders. Key conflicts included the Napoleonic Wars, which involved many European powers and led to the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. The century also saw the American Civil War, a pivotal conflict in the United States over issues like slavery and states' rights. Other notable wars included the Crimean War, fought between Russia and an alliance of Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire, and the Franco-Prussian War, which resulted in the unification of Germany. These wars influenced political landscapes and social changes across the globe.