U.S. Wars Pre-1900: A Historical Overview

America has a long history of battles and wars. Over 300 years ago, when the first settlers came from Europe, they had disagreements and fights with the Native Americans who were already here. Later, these settlers, who became the American colonies, got pulled into big fights that were happening in Europe. One of the biggest battles was the Revolutionary War, where America fought to become its own country, separate from England. As time went on, America had more wars, like the Civil War where the country fought against itself. Throughout history, America had many fights, especially with countries like England, France, Spain, and with Native Americans.

War Year(s)	Conflict	AKA	Summary
1609-1701	Beaver Wars	Iroquois Wars or the French and Iroquois Wars	The Beaver Wars, fought from the 1640s to the 1680s, were a series of brutal conflicts between the Iroquois Confederacy and several other Native American tribes, primarily over control of the lucrative fur trade in the Great Lakes region.
1610-1646	Anglo-Powhatan Wars		The Anglo-Powhatan Wars, spanning from 1609 to 1646, were a series of three conflicts between English settlers of the Virginia Colony and the Powhatan Confederacy, rooted in territorial disputes, cultural differences, and competition for resources in the region.
1637-1638	Pequot War		The Pequot War, which took place between 1636 and 1638, was a violent conflict between the Pequot tribe and an alliance of English colonists from the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies, supported by their Native American allies, the Narragansett and Mohegan tribes, primarily over control of trade and territory in present-day Connecticut.
1642-1698	French and Iroquois Wars		The French and Iroquois Wars, spanning from the late 17th to the early 18th century, were a series of conflicts primarily between the Iroquois Confederacy and the French, allied with the Huron and other Native American tribes, over control of the fur trade and territorial dominance in the Great Lakes and northeastern regions of North America.
1643-1645	Kieft's War		Kieft's War, which occurred from 1643 to 1645, was a conflict between Dutch settlers, under Director-General Willem Kieft of the New Netherland colony, and the Lenape (Delaware) Native American tribe, sparked by Dutch attempts to tax and exert control over the indigenous population, leading to a series of violent reprisals and battles in the region that is now New York.
1675-1676	King Philip’s War		King Philip's War (1675-1676) was a violent conflict between English colonists and Native American tribes in New England, led by the Wampanoag chief Metacom, known to the English as King Philip. Sparked by colonial expansion and cultural tensions, the war saw brutal raids and counterattacks, decimating towns and villages. The conflict reached its climax with the attack on the Narragansett fort during the Great Swamp Fight. Ultimately, the colonists and their Native American allies prevailed, resulting in the death of King Philip and the near-destruction of the Wampanoag and Narragansett societies. The war, one of the bloodiest per capita in U.S. history, reshaped the American Northeast, with enduring consequences for Native American and colonial relations.
1655	Peach Tree War		The Peach Tree War (1655) was a swift and unexpected attack by the Susquehannock Nation and allied tribes against the New Netherland colony, specifically targeting the settlements around New Amsterdam (modern-day New York City). Triggered by a dispute over the ownership of a peach tree, the conflict resulted in significant Dutch casualties and property damage. The surprise assault exposed vulnerabilities in the Dutch colonial defenses and influenced subsequent fortification efforts in the region.
1659-1663	Esopus Wars		The Esopus Wars (1659-1663) were two conflicts in what's now New York between Dutch settlers and the Esopus tribe. Tensions over land and cultural differences led to violent skirmishes. The Dutch eventually overpowered the Esopus, leading to the tribe's displacement and solidifying Dutch control in the area.
1675-1678	King Philip's War		in New England between colonists and the local tribes including, but not limited to, the Nipmuc, Wampanoag, and Narragansett
1676	Bacon’s Rebellion		Bacon's Rebellion (1676) was an armed uprising in the Virginia Colony led by Nathaniel Bacon, a young planter, against the ruling governor, Sir William Berkeley. Driven by grievances over perceived favoritism in land policies, lack of protection from Native American raids, and restricted access to the fur trade, Bacon and his followers, consisting of both indentured servants and enslaved Africans, burned down Jamestown and controlled parts of Virginia for several months. While the rebellion collapsed after Bacon's sudden death from dysentery, it exposed deep class divisions and tensions within the colony. In its aftermath, colonial authorities moved to reduce reliance on indentured servants in favor of African slaves, marking a significant shift in Virginia's labor policies.
1680	Pueblo Rebellion		The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was a significant uprising by Pueblo Indians in present-day New Mexico against Spanish colonization. Sparked by Spanish religious oppression and demands for tribute, the coordinated rebellion, led by a Pueblo religious leader named Popé, successfully expelled the Spanish from the region for 12 years. The revolt ended Spanish efforts to eradicate native culture and religion, leading to a more accommodating approach by the Spanish when they reconquered the area in 1692. The Pueblo Revolt remains a potent symbol of Native American resistance to European colonization.
1689-1698	King William’s War	1st Intercolonial War (France), Nine Years' War	King William's War (1689-1697), the North American theater of the Nine Years' War, was the first major conflict between the colonies of France and England in the New World. Stemming from European rivalries, the war saw frontier skirmishes, raids, and sieges, with both sides aided by their respective Native American allies. Notable events included the Schenectady Massacre in New York and the Siege of Quebec. The rugged terrain and lack of formal armies led to a reliance on irregular warfare and militia. The war ended inconclusively in North America with the Treaty of Ryswick in 1697, but it set the stage for a series of colonial conflicts between the two European powers.
1702-1713	Queen Anne’s War	Third Indian War, Second Intercolonial War (France)	Queen Anne's War (1702-1713) was the North American theater of the War of the Spanish Succession, pitting England against France and Spain. Fought primarily in the English colonies of New England and the southern region, as well as in the French colony of New France, the war was characterized by frontier guerrilla warfare, with both European powers allied to various Native American tribes. Major battles included the Siege of St. Augustine and the Deerfield Massacre. The conflict concluded with the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, which granted the British significant territorial gains in North America, including Newfoundland and the Hudson Bay region, solidifying their growing dominance on the continent.
1711-1715	Tuscarora War		The Tuscarora War (1711-1715) was a conflict in colonial North Carolina between the British, Dutch, and German settlers and the Tuscarora Native Americans. Sparked by European encroachment onto Tuscarora land, along with unfair trade practices and abuses against Tuscarora people, the conflict saw the Tuscaroras, led by Chief Hancock, besiege several colonial settlements. The settlers, with the aid of their Native American allies, including the Yamasee and Cherokee, retaliated with significant force. The war culminated in the 1713 Battle of Fort Neoheroka, resulting in a decisive defeat for the Tuscarora. In the aftermath, many Tuscarora migrated north, eventually joining the Iroquois Confederacy as its sixth nation. The war solidified colonial dominance in the region and led to a period of relative peace in North Carolina.
1715-1718	Yamasee War		The Yamasee War (1715-1717) was a devastating conflict in the English colony of South Carolina between British settlers and a coalition of Native American tribes, primarily led by the Yamasee. Triggered by factors including trade abuses, mounting debts, and British encroachment on native lands, the war saw the near destruction of the South Carolina colony. The Native American coalition initially achieved significant successes, pushing the settlers to the brink. However, divisions among the tribes and timely aid from neighboring North Carolina helped the colony recover. The war concluded with the Yamasee's defeat, leading to their migration southward, and resulted in a reshaping of the colonial and Native American landscape of the American Southeast.
1716	First Natchez War		The First Natchez War (1716) was a pivotal conflict between the Natchez Native Americans and French colonists in the Mississippi River region. Triggered by the French construction of Fort Rosalie on Natchez territory, tensions escalated into violent confrontations. While the war was relatively brief, it set the stage for subsequent hostilities, highlighting the growing friction between indigenous populations and European settlers in the American South. This initial clash underscored the complexities of territorial disputes and cultural misunderstandings during the colonial era.
1716-1729	Natchez Wars		The Natchez Wars (1716-1731) encompassed a series of conflicts between the Natchez people and French colonists in the Mississippi River region. Sparked by tensions over land use, cultural differences, and French demands, these wars culminated in the 1729 Natchez Revolt, where the Natchez destroyed the French Fort Rosalie and killed numerous settlers. The subsequent French retaliation, with the aid of Choctaw allies, led to the near extermination of the Natchez people and their eventual dispersal, marking a significant chapter in the colonial history of the American South.
1723-1726	Dummer’s War		Dummer's War, also known as Father Rale's War or Lovewell's War, took place between 1722 and 1725 in the northeastern part of British America, primarily in what is now Maine and New Brunswick. The conflict arose from tensions between British colonists and the Wabanaki Confederacy, which was allied with New France. The war was named after Lieutenant Governor William Dummer of Massachusetts Bay, who led the British colonial militia. Sparked by competition over land and resources, as well as British expansion into Wabanaki territory, the war consisted of a series of skirmishes and raids. The conflict concluded with the Treaty of Boston in 1725, which, while not resolving territorial disputes, brought a temporary halt to hostilities.
1739-1748	War of Jenkins' Ear	War of the Agreement (Spain)	The War of Jenkins' Ear (1739-1748) was a conflict between Britain and Spain, ignited by the alleged mistreatment of British merchant Robert Jenkins, who claimed a Spanish coast guard officer severed his ear during a search for contraband. This incident, combined with existing maritime and colonial tensions, led to a British declaration of war. The war saw significant naval battles and land campaigns in the Caribbean and the borderlands between the Spanish colonies in Florida and the British colonies in Georgia and South Carolina. While it began as a distinct conflict, it eventually merged into the larger War of the Austrian Succession in 1742. The war ended inconclusively, with pre-war territorial arrangements largely restored.
1744-1748	King George’s War		King George's War (1744-1748) was the North American theater of the War of the Austrian Succession, primarily involving British and French colonies. Marked by sporadic frontier skirmishes and raids, the most significant event was the New England-led capture of the French fortress of Louisbourg in 1745. However, the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which concluded the war in 1748, returned Louisbourg to the French in exchange for territories in India and the Low Countries, frustrating many British colonists. The war further intensified colonial rivalries and set the stage for the subsequent French and Indian War.
1749-1755	Father Le Loutre's War	Indian War, the Mi'kmaq War and the Anglo-Mi'kmaq War
1754-1763	French and Indian Wars	Seven Years' War (Canada)	The Northwest Indian War (1785-1795) was a series of conflicts in the post-Revolutionary American Northwest Territory between Native American tribes, united under the Western Confederacy, and the United States. Stemming from territorial disputes over lands ceded by the British after the Revolutionary War, the conflict saw major battles like St. Clair's Defeat. The war culminated in the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, a decisive U.S. victory. The subsequent Treaty of Greenville in 1795 forced the tribes to cede vast territories in the Ohio Valley, paving the way for westward American expansion and setting the stage for future U.S.-Native American confrontations.
1758-1761	Anglo-Cherokee War		The Anglo-Cherokee War (1758-1761) was a conflict between the Cherokee tribes and British colonists in the American South. Initially allies against the French and their Native American partners during the larger Seven Years' War, tensions between the Cherokees and the British escalated due to frontier skirmishes, mutual mistrust, and British demands for native-held captives. The situation deteriorated into open warfare after the British killed several Cherokee leaders held as hostages. The conflict saw raids and punitive expeditions, notably by the British against Cherokee towns. The war concluded with the Treaty of Long-Island-on-the-Holston in 1761, which saw the Cherokee cede significant territories to the British. The conflict further strained British-colonial relations, contributing to the growing colonial discontent leading up to the American Revolution.
1763-1766	Pontiac’s Rebellion		Pontiac's Rebellion (1763-1766) was a Native American uprising against British rule in the Great Lakes area, led by Ottawa chief Pontiac. In response to attacks on British forts and settlements, the British issued the Proclamation of 1763, limiting westward colonial expansion. The conflict highlighted the deep tensions between Native Americans and European settlers.
1774	Lord Dunmore’s War		Lord Dunmore's War (1774) was a conflict between the Colony of Virginia and the Shawnee and Mingo tribes. Named after John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore and the last royal governor of Virginia, the war was sparked by territorial disputes over the Ohio River Valley. Tensions culminated in the Battle of Point Pleasant, where colonial militia led by Colonel Andrew Lewis engaged in fierce combat with Native American forces. The colonists' victory led to the Treaty of Camp Charlotte, in which the Shawnee and Mingo ceded significant territories in present-day West Virginia and Kentucky. The war played a role in escalating tensions between the American colonies and the British government, paving the way for the American Revolutionary War.
1775-1783	Revolutionary War
1786-1795	Northwest Indian Wars
1801-1805	First Barbary War Tripolitan War		The First Barbary War (1801-1805) was the United States' first overseas conflict, pitting the young nation against the North African Barbary states, notably Tripoli. Initiated by the Barbary pirates' demands for tribute in exchange for safe passage of American ships in the Mediterranean, President Thomas Jefferson opted for military action over paying ransoms. Highlighted by naval blockades and the daring overland attack on Tripoli led by William Eaton, the war concluded with the Treaty of Tripoli in 1805. This conflict underscored the U.S.'s commitment to protecting its maritime interests and marked its emergence on the international stage.
1811	Tecumseh’s War		Tecumseh's War (1811-1813) was a pivotal conflict in the American Midwest between Native American confederation, led by the Shawnee leader Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, and U.S. forces. Driven by Tecumseh's vision to halt American westward expansion and restore Native American lands, tensions peaked with the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, where future president William Henry Harrison's troops clashed with Tenskwatawa's followers. Though the battle was inconclusive, it weakened the Native American confederation. The conflict later merged into the larger War of 1812, with Tecumseh allying with the British against the U.S. until his death in 1813, marking a significant setback for Native American resistance in the region.
1812-1815	War of 1812
1813-1814	Creek Indian War		The Creek War (1813-1814), part of the larger War of 1812, was a regional conflict in the American South between U.S. forces, allied with the Cherokee and Lower Creek tribes, and the Red Stick faction of the Creek Indians. Sparked by internal Creek divisions and external pressures from American expansion, the war's pivotal moment was the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, where General Andrew Jackson's forces achieved a decisive victory. The war's aftermath saw the Treaty of Fort Jackson in 1814, forcing the Creek to cede vast territories to the U.S., further paving the way for American westward expansion.
1815	Second Barbary War: The Algerian War		The Second Barbary War (1815) was a brief but decisive conflict between the United States and the North African Barbary states, primarily Algiers. Stemming from unresolved issues from the First Barbary War, including the Barbary pirates' continued attacks on American shipping, the U.S. launched a naval campaign under Commodore Stephen Decatur. His swift actions led to favorable treaties, effectively ending the Barbary states' demands for tribute and ensuring the safety of American maritime commerce in the Mediterranean. This victory further bolstered America's emerging reputation on the international stage.
1813-1819	First Seminole War		The First Seminole War (1817-1818) erupted in the southern U.S. frontier, pitting American forces against the Seminole tribe and escaped African slaves in Spanish-held Florida. Triggered by border skirmishes and Seminole harboring of fugitive slaves, U.S. military campaigns, led notably by General Andrew Jackson, penetrated deep into Florida. The conflict's conclusion pressured Spain into ceding Florida to the U.S. in the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, reshaping the territorial landscape of the Southeast and highlighting the growing American influence in the region.
1835-1836	Texas Revolutionary War		The Texas Revolutionary War (1835-1836) was a pivotal conflict where Texas settlers, mainly of American descent, sought independence from Mexican governance. Sparked by cultural and political disparities, key events like the iconic Battle of the Alamo fueled the rebellion. The decisive Battle of San Jacinto, led by Sam Houston, resulted in the capture of Mexican General Santa Anna. This victory led to the Treaties of Velasco, officially granting Texas its sovereignty and setting the stage for its 1845 annexation to the United States.
1835-1842	Second Seminole War		The Second Seminole War (1835-1842) was a prolonged conflict in Florida between U.S. forces and the Seminole tribe. Initiated by U.S. attempts to forcibly relocate the Seminoles to the West, the war saw the Seminoles, led by Chief Osceola, resist through guerrilla tactics. Despite significant U.S. military efforts, the war concluded without a decisive victory. However, many Seminoles were eventually removed, while a few remained in the Florida Everglades.
1846-1848	Mexican War		The Mexican War (1846-1848) was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico, primarily over territorial disputes in Texas and the American Southwest. Following the U.S. annexation of Texas, tensions escalated, leading to hostilities. The war concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, in which Mexico ceded vast territories, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming, to the U.S., significantly shaping the modern boundaries of the two nations.
1855-1858	Third Seminole War		The Third Seminole War (1855-1858) was the last conflict between the U.S. government and the Seminole tribe in Florida. Sparked by land disputes and U.S. efforts to relocate the Seminoles westward, the war consisted of guerrilla skirmishes. While the U.S. didn't achieve a clear victory, the war's end saw many Seminoles forcibly removed, with a small number remaining in Florida.
1798-1801	Quasi-War with France		The Quasi-War (1798-1800) was an undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France, stemming from unresolved maritime and commercial issues after the American Revolution and exacerbated by the French Revolution. U.S. merchant ships faced seizures by French privateers, leading to naval skirmishes in the Caribbean. The conflict intensified domestic political tensions, with Federalists advocating for a stronger response against France. Diplomatic efforts, including the XYZ Affair, initially worsened relations but eventually led to the Convention of 1800, which ended hostilities and annulled the 1778 alliance between the U.S. and France without compensating American shipping losses. The Quasi-War strengthened the U.S. Navy and influenced American foreign policy, emphasizing neutrality and self-reliance.