1775-1783 |
 War of Independence
 The 13 Colonies
Colonists wage and win a guerilla war for American independence from England. |
1798-1800 |
The Quasi-War
 U.S. Atlantic Coast; West Indies
An undeclared war with France begins; the U.S. wins 9 of 10 naval encounters. |
1801-1805 |
Tripolitan War
 Tripoli (now in Libya)
Tripoli declares war on the U.S.; the U.S. responds by blockading and then invading Tripoli. |
1811 |
"Little Belt" Affair
 Indiana; Michigan
U.S. forces defeat Native Americans led by Tecumseh and burn a city, Prophetstown. |
1812-1815 |
 War of 1812
 Lake Erie; New Orleans, Louisiana; Washington, D.C.
The U.S. wars with Great Britain over freedom of the seas, capture of seamen, and a blockade of U.S. ports. |
1817-1818 |
First Seminole War
 Florida
Following Native American raids in Florida, U.S. forces destroy Seminole villages and break tribal resistance. |
1832 |
Black Hawk War
 Illinois; Wisconsin
Sac and Fox tribes under Sac leader Black Hawk attack white settlers, but are defeated at the Battle of Bad Axe. |
1832 |
Assault on Sumatra
 Sumatra (now in Indonesia)
In the first U.S. armed intervention in Asia, the U.S. retaliates against an attack on a U.S. merchant vessel, killing 100 Sumatrans and burning the town of Quallah Battoo. |
1835-1836 |
Texas Revolution
 Texas
Texas settlers revolt against Mexico. |
1835-1842 |
Second Seminole War
 Florida
American troops clash with Native Americans led by Osceola; the Seminole people are reduced to 350 in number by 1842. |
1838-1839 |
Aroostook War
 Maine
The U.S. fights an undeclared war with England over Maine's boundaries. Approximately 10,000 troops camp along the Aroostook River in a conflict without casualties. |
1846-1848 |
 Mexican War
 Mexico
The U.S. declares war against Mexico; the war ends with Mexico ceding all rights to Texas, and the U.S. purchase of New Mexico and California. |
1847-1850 |
Cayuse War
 Washington State
Cayuse destroy the intrusive mission of Marcus Whitman, blaming the missionaries for a smallpox outbreak. In addition to Whitman, his wife, and their helpers, fourteen Native Americans are killed. The U.S. military forces the Cayuse to surrender and hangs five people. |
1855-1858 |
Third Seminole War
 Florida
Brigadier General William S. Harney subdues Billy Bowlegs and other Seminole warriors. |
1856 |
Bleeding Kansas
 Kansas
Conflict erupts between pro- and anti-slavery forces, including John Brown; federal troops quell the fighting. |
1857-1858 |
Mormon Expedition
 Utah
The U.S. Army subdues Mormons who refuse to obey federal law. |
1861-1865 |
 American Civil War
 United States
Americans go to war over slavery and the attempted secession of southern states from the United States. |
