U.S. Wars The United States Congress has only declared war 5 times. War of 1812 Enemy- Great Britain President James Madison Causes: Impressment (kidnapping of American sailors), Stirring up Native Americans to Fight U.S. Mexican War: 1846 Enemy- Mexico President James Polk Causes: Mexico’s refusal to allow Texas to secede and become part of United States
Spanish-American War, 1898 Enemy- Spain President William McKinley Causes: Freedom for Cuba. Battle Ship Maine blown up in Havana World War I, 1917-18 Enemy- Germany President Woodrow Wilson Unrestricted Submarine Warfare. Sunk Lusitania. World War II, 1941-45 Enemy- Axis Powers: Japan, Germany, Italy President Franklin Roosevelt Causes: Pearl Harbor, Invasions in Europe and the Pacific
Congressional Resolution, 9/18/01 (Bush Resolution) President George W. Bush Why was it passed? – Terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on 9/11/01 What did it Authorize? – Use of military force against terrorists responsible for the attacks. Why is it not a Declaration of War? – No single country or gov’t was responsible for the attacks.