Statistics of Deadly Quarrels, 1809-1949

This study contains data on 779 dyadic fatal quarrels for the period 1809-1949. The study represents one of the earlier attempts at quantification of historical conflict behavior. A dyadic deadly quarrel is a situation involving a pair of opponents or belligerents which causes death to humans. Each quarrel is identified by its beginning date and magnitude. The magnitude of a quarrel is measured by the logarithm to the base 10 of the number of deaths. The range of magnitude of quarrels in this study is from 2.50 to 7.50, the latter representing the figure for nations involved in World War II. For each quarrel, the nominal variables include the type of quarrel, as well as political, cultural, and economic similarities and dissimilarities between the pair of combatants.