Final answer:
The American Revolution was equally a civil war among Americans and a war against the British, with internal conflicts and tensions as well as significant military engagements against Britain, leading to the establishment of a new nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extent to which the Revolution was a civil war between Americans, as well as a war against the British, is a complex question and historians have different interpretations. Some view it mainly as a colonial rebellion focused on independence from Britain, while others see it as a violent social upheaval with internal class conflict. The middle colonies of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania were particularly divided, and loyalties varied widely among different social groups and regions. The American Revolution certainly had elements of a civil war, as it pitted Loyalists against Patriots on American soil.
Nevertheless, the conflict also had a significant dimension as a war against Britain, with key battles, such as the surrender at Yorktown, directly involving British forces. The fight for independence and the creation of a new democratic nation cannot be understated when discussing the Revolution, although it also brought about significant internal conflict and reshaped the social order within the colonies.
Therefore, the answer to the question would best be described as c) Equally a civil war and a war against the British, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the conflict.