1871 |
War with Korea
 Korea
After merchants are killed in Korea, the U.S. kills 250 Koreans in battle; a treaty is secured in 1882. |
1871-1886 |
Apache Wars
 Arizona
Apache leaders Geronimo and Victorio raid white settlers and soldiers; Geronimo surrenders in 1886. |
1872-1873 |
 Modoc War
 California; Oregon
U.S. cavalry fight to return the Modoc people and their leader, Kintpuash (known to whites as Captain Jack), to an Oregon reservation; Kintpuash is hanged and the Modoc are exiled to Oklahoma. |
1876-1877 |
Black Hills War
 South Dakota
Gold in South Dakota brings in whites to Sioux land. Colonel George A. Custer and 264 soldiers are killed at Little Bighorn; subsequently, the U.S. Army destroys Indian resistance. |
1877 |
 Nez Percé War
 Idaho; Oregon; Washington border
The U.S. moves against the previously peaceful Nez Percé people in the Northwest; Chief Joseph leads a skillful retreat towards Canada, but is caught. |
1878 |
Bannock War
 Idaho
Native Americans of the Bannock tribe attack white settlers in Idaho before they suffer heavy losses and are forced back to Fort Hall Reservation. |
1890 |
Messiah War
 South Dakota
The U.S. apprehends Sioux leader Sitting Bull, who is killed when followers try to free him. The Sioux surrender but are massacred at Wounded Knee in this final fight between Native Americans and the U.S. Army. |
1893 |
Coup in Hawaii
 Hawaii
U.S. Marines land in the kingdom of Hawaii to aid the overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani. |
1898-1902 |
 Spanish-American War
 Cuba; Philippines
U.S. victories against Spain lead to the Treaty of Paris, which establishes the independence of Cuba, and cedes Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S.. The U.S. also purchases the Philippines for $20 million. |
1912 |
Occupation of Nicaragua
 Nicaragua
Marines arrive in Nicaragua to bolster the government of Adolfo Diaz; the last marines depart in 1934. |
1914 |
Tampico Affair
 Veracruz, Mexico
After U.S. Marines are arrested at Tampico, U.S. forces bombard Veracruz and occupy the city. |
1915 |
Invasion of Haiti
 Haiti
U.S. Marines occupy Haiti after a civil war; a treaty between the U.S. and the Haitian Senate makes the island nation a virtual U.S. protectorate. Troops withdraw in 1934. |
1916-1917 |
Expedition Against Villa
 Northern Mexico
The U.S. military invades Mexico to capture Mexican Pancho Villa, who had raided New Mexico, killing 18; U.S. forces numbering 11,000 withdraw, unable to capture Villa. |
1917-1918 |
 World War I
 Western Europe
The U.S. ends three years of neutrality in the European conflict, declaring war on Germany. An armistice is declared November 11, 1918. |
1918-1920 |
Siberian Expedition
 Siberia, Russia
The U.S. and other Allied troops invade Russia to protect war supplies during the Russian Revolution. |
1927 |
Protection of Shanghai's International Settlement
 China
One hundred Marines land in Shanghai to defend U.S. property during a civil war there. |
