Causes and Consequences of Major U.S. Wars

Seven Years' War (1754-63)

Imperial competition (France vs Britain), control of Ohio Valley

Revolutionary War (1775-83)

Taxation without representation, Enlightenment, British oppression

War of 1812

Trade interference, impressment, war hawks

Mexican-American War (1846-48)

Manifest Destiny, border disputes

Civil War (1861-65)

Slavery, states' rights, secession

Spanish-American War (1898)

USS Maine, yellow journalism, imperialism

World Wars I & II

Unrestricted warfare, fascism, alliances

Cold War Conflicts (Korea/Vietnam)

Containment, domino theory

War on Terror

9/11 attacks

Hamilton's Financial Plan

1790s, Active, Stabilize economy, build credit

American System (Clay)

1810s-40s, Moderate, National unity via infrastructure & tariffs

New Deal (FDR)

1930s, High, Recovery from Great Depression

Great Society (LBJ)

1960s, High, Eliminate poverty & racial injustice

Reaganomics

1980s, Low (deregulation), Stimulate growth through tax cuts

Recovery Acts (2009)

Post-2008, High, Rescue financial institutions, jobs

Common Theme of Wars

Most wars result from threats to economic interests, national security, or ideological principles, especially liberty and capitalism.

Comparison Tip

Economic plans during crises expand federal power (New Deal, Great Society), while during prosperity they often reduce it (Reaganomics).

Federal Power

The authority and influence of the federal government, particularly in relation to states.

Civil War

A conflict in the United States from 1861 to 1865 primarily over slavery and states' rights.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order issued by President Lincoln in 1863 that freed slaves in the Confederate states.

New Deal Era

A period during the 1930s when President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented programs to recover from the Great Depression.

Social Security

A government program established in 1935 to provide financial assistance to retirees and the unemployed.

SCOTUS opposition

Resistance from the Supreme Court of the United States to certain New Deal policies, which was later reversed.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States after World War II.

Truman Doctrine

A U.S. policy established in 1947 to counter Soviet geopolitical expansion during the Cold War.

Seven Years' War (1754-1763)

A global conflict between Britain and France, primarily over territorial disputes in North America.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

The agreement that ended the Seven Years' War, resulting in France losing its North American territories.

American Revolution (1775-1783)

A conflict between the Thirteen American Colonies and Great Britain over taxation and governance.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

The agreement that ended the American Revolution, recognizing U.S. independence.

War of 1812 (1812-1815)

A conflict between the United States and Great Britain over maritime rights and territorial expansion.

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

The agreement that ended the War of 1812, restoring relations between the U.S. and Britain.

Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

A conflict between the U.S. and Mexico over territorial disputes following the annexation of Texas.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

The agreement that ended the Mexican-American War, resulting in U.S. acquisition of Southwest territories.

Civil War (1861-1865)

A conflict primarily over slavery and states' rights, resulting in the preservation of the Union.

Surrender at Appomattox (1865)

The event marking the end of the Civil War when General Lee surrendered to General Grant.

Spanish-American War (1898)

A conflict between the U.S. and Spain, leading to U.S. territorial gains in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

The agreement that ended the Spanish-American War, granting the U.S. control over several territories.

World War I (U.S. involvement) (1917-1918)

The period when the U.S. entered the First World War, influenced by unrestricted submarine warfare.

Armistice (Nov 11, 1918)

The agreement that ended fighting in World War I before the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

World War II (U.S. involvement) (1941-1945)

The period of U.S. participation in the Second World War following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Victory in Europe (May 1945)

The date marking the end of World War II in Europe with the surrender of Nazi Germany.

Korean War (1950-1953)

A conflict between North and South Korea, with U.S. involvement to contain communism.

Armistice (1953)

The agreement that ended active fighting in the Korean War, establishing a border at the 38th parallel.

Vietnam War (1961-1975)

A conflict in Vietnam involving U.S. forces aimed at preventing the spread of communism.

Fall of Saigon (1975)

The event marking the end of the Vietnam War, with North Vietnam's victory and U.S. withdrawal.

Persian Gulf War (1991)

A conflict initiated by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, leading to a U.S.-led coalition victory.

Operation Desert Storm

The military operation that resulted in a swift victory for U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf War.

War on Terror (Afghanistan/Iraq) (2001-present)

Ongoing military operations initiated in response to the September 11 attacks.

U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan (2021)

The event marking the end of U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan after two decades.