United States and War
 

Your quiz for the day (no googling allowed). How many times have the United States legally declared war? Please list the wars.

Ugh! History has always been my worst subject but I'll give it a Googless shot:

War of 1812
War Between the States
World War I
World War II

So that's four?

I know the Korean Conflict and Vietnam were never declared and I'm guessing that the Revolution and the Gulf Wars weren't either.

But I could be wrong :)

Incorrect KR.

Bonus point, name the conflict that is being debated wether or not it was a war.

Can you tell me how far off I was?

As for debate whether or not it was a war; is it the '91 Gulf War?

I'll try five:

War of 1812
War Between the States
Spanish-American War
WWI
WWII

Honeychile is getting closer. KR, remember this one thing, only congress is allowed to declare war.

<----- trying to answer without looking it up!


You're not counting the Whiskey Rebellion, are you?

The Whiskey Rebellion is not war.

On that definition, I think the only wars officially declared are WWI, WWII, War of 1812, Spanish-American War, and the Mexican-American War although I think I could be wrong on the last one. (trying to remember everything from the American History class I took waaaay back during freshman year)

Getting closer ZTAngel. You miss one war.

I would have agreed with ZT, however this is a bit of a trick question since there were several declarations of war in WWI and WWII.

So, which one did we miss?

If you say the War on Terror -- I'll yell. Although I don't know if there was a declaration on the present conflict. I don't think so.

Was there ever a declaration one way or the other in the Civil War?

Okay:

War of 1812
War Between the States
Spanish-American War
WWI
WWII

You were right about:

War of 1812
American-Mexican War
Spanish-American War
WWI
WWII

The one you missed has to do with Africa. There is another one, but that particular war is debatable.

Was it about the formation of Liberia, or the Suez Canal?

Nope.

I think I know...
 

Are you referring to the 1993 Somalia conflict?

Re: I think I know...
 

Nope, wrong century. At the time of this war, Jefferson was still the president. Think about the Marine hymn.

Tripoli!

Re: Re: I think I know...
 

The Barbary War? I didn't think it was officially declared, though, but it's the only African conflict I can think of during the Jefferson presidency.

Re: Re: Re: I think I know...
 

You are correct madame.

Link to Source

There is another one that one could debate wether or not it was legally a war. If you could name it, I shall post a pic of a llama.

Re: Re: I think I know...
 

XYZ Affair!

-RC
--Obviously "the shores of barbary"

Re: Re: Re: I think I know...
 

You're better than I am! I simply could not put a name to that war!!

Name the 7th conflict that resulted in a declaration of war. However, there is a debate to this day wether or not it was war.

Re: Re: Re: Re: I think I know...
 

I'm just surprised that I'm remembering this stuff. My history teachers and professors would be so proud! :)

ETA: Oops. The 7th war that you speak of, Arya, is in the link that you provided. So, for all those still guessing, don't look at the link yet!

This is all dependant on what you consider a war and who declares it. You're talking about congressionally sanctioned wars.

I believe World War II held at least 3 separate decalarations of war by the Sentate alone.

Resolution 119 was Germany and 120 was Italy. I don't remember Japan, but I'd bet it was resolution 118.

Congress hasn't declared a war since those 3 declarations (I think December 11).

Thus the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Laos/Cambodia, Bay of Pigs invasion, the Iraq Wars (I and II), along with any other action taken in Panama as well our citizens serving foreign militaries were conducted under a policy of neutrality without congressional declaration of war.

Once a war without congressional declaration is in motion and troops are on the ground, the only thing that Congress can do is to move to cut funding for the military in that region. The only time this was ever done was in 1973, when Congress did the unthinkable and tacked a liquidation of funding for troops (in North/South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia) to a Social Security Bill.

-Rudey

Re: Re: Re: I think I know...
 

Ah, the glorious history of relations between France and the United States. (at least I know I'm not the only person who knows what the XYZ affair is).

The last declaration of war was against Romania during WWII.

Was there also a declaration against Austria?

For WWI, but not WWII.

Congressional declaration? I didn't think Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria had actually been declarations. I checked on the internet and one website said that but none of the others said anything...

-Rudey

The Armistice Agreement with Rumania

Yes, but they declared war on the United States...

-Rudey