The English Civil War lasted from 1642 to 1651, primarily as a struggle between which two factions?

The English Civil War was fundamentally a conflict between Royalists and Parliamentarians, so the most accurate representation of the two factions is Royalists and Parliamentarians. The Royalists, also known as Cavaliers, supported King Charles I and sought to uphold the monarchical authority, while the Parliamentarians, known as Roundheads, wanted to limit the power of the monarchy and increase the authority of Parliament.

The struggle was deeply rooted in broader political, economic, and social issues of the time, including disputes over governance, taxation, and religious freedoms. These tensions ultimately culminated in a civil war that significantly altered the political landscape of England and led to the temporary establishment of a commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, marking a radical shift in power dynamics.

In contrast, while the King and the Long Parliament were indeed key players in this conflict, framing it as a struggle solely between them lacks the nuance of the broader political factions involved. Other choices, such as Britain and France or Colonists and Native Americans, do not pertain to the specific context of the English Civil War.