The United States has been at war for 222 out of 239 years since its birth in 1776. This means that the U.S. has only been at peace for less than 20 years total since its birth. The U.S. has been at war, or at least in armed conflicts of various sorts, often in distant lands, for more or less my entire life. Yes, for some of those years, that war was “cold” (which often meant that such carnage, regularly sponsored by the CIA, happened largely off-screen and out of sight), but war as a way of life never really ended, not to this very moment.
The U.S. has been involved in 12 major wars, including the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror.
The U.S. has officially declared war 11 times during five separate military conflicts. The last time America declared war was during World War II. The Korean War, the War in Vietnam, and the extended campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq were never stamped with congressional declarations of war.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Total years the US has been at war | 222 years |
Total years the US has not been at war | Less than 20 years |
Percentage of time the US has been at war | 93% |
Number of wars the US has been involved in | 108 wars |
Number of ongoing wars | 4 |
Longest war | 19.9 years |
Shortest war | 4 days |
What You'll Learn
The US has been at war 222 out of 239 years since 1776
The United States has been at war 222 out of 239 years since 1776, or 93% of the time. This figure counts all wars, rebellions, and invasions in which the United States Armed Forces have participated since its creation in 1775. The US has only been at peace for less than 20 years total since its birth.
The US has been involved in 12 major wars, including the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror. The US has also been involved in numerous smaller conflicts, such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The US has officially declared war 11 times during five separate military conflicts. The last time America declared war was during World War II. The Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the extended campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq were never stamped with congressional declarations of war.
Some have argued that the US has been at war for 228 out of 246 years since its founding, or that there have been only 12 years without war since 1776.
The US's perpetual warfare has had a profound impact on its society and culture. It has led to the development of a massive military-industrial complex, with the Pentagon budget grabbing an ever-larger percentage of federal discretionary spending. The US now has an "empire of bases" with hundreds of military garrisons around the globe.
The US's involvement in wars and conflicts has also had devastating consequences for other countries and their populations. For example, America's second war in Afghanistan is estimated to have cost almost $2.3 trillion and left at least 241,000 people dead, including 2,442 American service members.
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The US has been at war 93% of the time since its birth
The United States has been at war 93% of the time since its birth in 1776. This equates to 222 years out of 239.
The US has been involved in 12 major wars, including the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror.
The US has also been involved in numerous smaller conflicts, such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Iraq War. These smaller conflicts are often not declared wars but are still armed conflicts that result in casualties.
The US has only been at peace for less than 20 years total since its birth. This means that for most of its existence, the US has been engaged in some form of armed conflict. The culture of perpetual war has become so ingrained in American society that it is often not even questioned.
The US's involvement in wars and armed conflicts has had a significant impact on the country and the world. It has shaped foreign policy, domestic politics, and the lives of countless individuals. The financial cost of these wars has also been immense, with the US spending trillions of dollars on its military and war efforts.
The US's perpetual state of war has also contributed to a culture of militarism and nationalism. The country's vast military-industrial complex relies on a constant state of war to sustain itself, and the idea of "peace" has become almost inconceivable.
The US's involvement in wars and armed conflicts has also had a significant impact on the countries it has invaded and occupied. It has left a legacy of death, destruction, and instability in many parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East and South East Asia. The US has often pursued its own interests and agendas in these conflicts, with little regard for the sovereignty and well-being of other nations.
The US's perpetual state of war has had a profound impact on the world and has shaped global politics and power dynamics. It has also contributed to a culture of violence and conflict that seems to have no end in sight.
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The US has been at war every year since 1992
The United States has been at war 93% of the time since its birth in 1776. In other words, the US has only been at peace for less than 20 years total since its birth.
- First US Intervention in the Somali Civil War (1992-1995)
- Bosnian War and Croatian War (1992-1995)
- Intervention in Haiti (1994-1995)
- Kosovo War (1998-1999)
- Second US Intervention in the Somali Civil War (2007-present)
- Operation Ocean Shield (2009-2016)
- International intervention in Libya (2011)
- Operation Observant Compass (2011-2017)
- US military intervention in Niger (2013-2024)
- US-led intervention in Iraq (2014-2021)
- US intervention in the Syrian civil war (2014-present)
- US intervention in Libya (2015-2019)
- Operation Prosperity Guardian (2023-present)
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The US has been at war 11 times during five separate conflicts
The United States has been at war 11 times during five separate conflicts. The country has been at war or engaged in armed conflict for most of its existence. Since its birth in 1775, the US has only been at peace for less than 20 years.
The US has been involved in 12 major wars, including the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror.
The US has also been involved in numerous other conflicts, rebellions, and invasions around the world. The country has a long history of military intervention and has only experienced 15 years of peace throughout its history.
The US has been at war with itself and with other nations. The American Civil War was a significant conflict that divided the nation, and the US has also engaged in wars overseas, such as World War I and World War II. The US has been a major player in global conflicts and has often taken a leading role in military alliances.
The US has been at war or engaged in armed conflict for most of its existence, and this has had a significant impact on its society and culture. The country has a strong military tradition, and its citizens often express pride in their nation's military achievements. However, there has also been criticism of the human and financial cost of these conflicts, and there have been calls for the US to adopt a more peaceful approach to foreign policy.
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The US has been at war 108 times, with four ongoing
The United States has been at war 108 times, with four ongoing. Since its creation in 1775, the United States Armed Forces have been involved in 108 wars, rebellions, and invasions, with four currently ongoing.
The United States has only been at peace for less than 20 years total since its birth. The U.S. has only been at peace for 15 years when it has not been at war with someone. Big wars, small wars, wars waged on the open seas, in small rivers, across sandy hills, through dense trees, and high in the sky—the United States has engaged in them all.
The U.S. has been at war 93% of the time since 1776. That is 222 out of 239 years. The U.S. has been at war for 226 years out of its 246 years of existence.
The U.S. has been at war with itself during the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The American Revolutionary War was a civil war within the British Empire that became an international war when France joined in 1778.
The U.S. has been at war with the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Samoa, Serbia, Somalia, South Vietnam, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Yemen, and Yugoslavia.
The U.S. has also been at war with numerous Native American nations, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Comanche, Creek, Dakota, Lakota, Navajo, Seminole, Shoshone, Sioux, Ute, and Yavapai.
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Frequently asked questions
The US has been at war 222 times since 1776.
The US has officially declared war 11 times during five separate military conflicts.
The US has been at war for 222 out of 239 years since 1776.
The US has not been at war for less than 20 years total since its birth.