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U.S. Civil War
The cause of this war between the north and south was states' rights. The south wanted authority to abolish federal laws they did not agree with, mostly slave owner rights. Due to the north opposing this idea and the election of Abraham Lincoln this caused the south to succeed and the start of the civil war. After four bloody years of fighting the south surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. -
Battle of the Little Bighorn
A battle of tribal land between two tribes (Sioux & Cheyenne) and the command of General George A. Custer. This is considered "the most famous Indian victory" causing 250 white men to die. The battle begun due to "white invasion after the discovery of gold" in the end, due to buffalo deterioration, they relinquished this land. Foner, E. (2017). Give me liberty!: an American history. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. -
Spanish-American War
Orginally, America became involved in this war to aid in Cuba's independence from Spain. After the destruction of the U.S.S. Maine in the Havana Harbor "President McKinley ask Congress for a declaration of war.".(Liberty, pg. 681) This war only last four months resulting in Cuba's independence from Spain. Foner, E. (2017). Giver me liberty!: an American history. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. -
World War I
The rest of the worlds involvement in this war started in 1914, America remained neutral until the spring of 1917 with the uncovering of the Zimmermann telegram wanting Mexico to join Germany and attack the U.S.. The fourteen points were to ensure America's involvement in this war was for "self-determination of all nations, freedom of the seas, and open diplomacy."(Liberty, p. 745). In the end Germany surrendered and accepted all of the blame. -
World War II
Although the war has been going on for a few years prior to the entrance of America, we decided to engage in WWII due to the bombing of pearl harbor. America's priority was not to save Jewish people from the wrath of Germany but was to win the war. In 1945 the axis powers surrendered, this war would be known mostly for the Nazi concentration camps killing more than 6 million people. -
Japanese-American Internment
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor FDR "ordered the relocation of all persons of Japan decent from the West Coast". More that 110,000 Japanese-American citizens were forced from their homes to controlled camps for the remainder of WWII. Their basic freedoms were stripped from them and they were under surveillance 24-7, America assumed they had some role in Pearl Harbor and wanted these citizens contained. In 1988, Congress apologized and offered compensation for those surviving victims. -
Korean War
During this war it was America's role to provide aid to South Korea. North Korea invaded South Korea with the help of the Soviet Union and China with the goal to take complete control of Korea. Finally, in 1953 an agreement was signed "...drew new boundaries near the 38th parallel.". These parameters still exist today. History.com. (2009). Korean War. Retrieved November 14, 2017, from http://www.history.com/topics/korean-war -
Vietnam War
The first televised war, which was very opposed by American citizens. U.S. troops when from aiding south Vietnam to intervening causing more military troops being drafted, more money, and mounting casualties. In the end North Vietnam took over (fall of Siagon) and the U.S. pulled troops out, but were not welcomed back home due to the dramatic images aired on television. -
Gulf War
Long time oil supplier Saudi Arabia was in danger of being attacked and overrun by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, so President Bush sent troops to "defend Kuwait". In 1991 Operation Desert Storm proceeded to "drive the Iraqi army from Kuwait", U.S. troop presence remained in Saudi Arabia to protect not only the oil but the people. -
Iraqi War
This war was started by the Bush administration in 2002 to "regime change" in Iraq. Saddam Hussein claimed to have weapons of mass destruction also Al Qaeda reigned terror over Iraq and it's citizens. After Hussein and Al Qaeda were taken down it was America's mission to train Iraqi forces, and restore peace within Iraq. In 2009 I was stationed in Al Asda, Iraqi with the primary mission to support Marine and Army forces with the supplies needed to train and defend Iraqi Soldiers.
