During which war did the United States acquire its independence?

The Revolutionary War is the conflict during which the United States gained its independence from British rule. This war, which lasted from 1775 to 1783, was fought primarily between the Thirteen American Colonies and Great Britain. The colonies sought to break free from British authority due to issues such as taxation without representation and restrictions on their governance. The conflict culminated in the successful establishment of the United States as an independent nation, formalized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

In contrast, the other wars listed did not pertain to the acquisition of independence. The Civil War was fought between the Northern and Southern states over issues including slavery and states' rights, while the War of 1812 involved conflicts between the United States and Britain over maritime rights and national sovereignty. World War I was a global conflict that occurred in the early 20th century, far removed from the events surrounding American independence. Thus, the Revolutionary War is definitively the correct answer as it directly relates to the United States’ quest for and achievement of independence.