Duration 1 month.
Clear operational objectives, reasonable strategic expectations and extensive and active international support make the Gulf War the shortest war experienced by the United States. 1In August 1990, Saddam's army invaded Kuwait. Five months later, the allies began carpet bombing, and then the ground troops joined the battle. Six weeks later, these troops withdrew. 1992 Cheney, the defense secretary of George H.W. Bush, said in Seattle: "If we had been fighting all the way to Baghdad, I think the American troops would still be stationed in Baghdad. If we want to manage that country, we can't let the soldiers go home. "
38th Infantry Regiment Arrives in Maryland Source: Library of Congress.
Spanish-American War (March 1898-August1898)
It lasted for three months.
This war is usually called the last struggle of the Spanish Empire and the dawn of the American century, but considering that it only lasted for about three months, there is really nothing to boast about. The so-called "Glorious World War I" to "liberate" Cuba began in April 1898. The reason is that an American warship mysteriously exploded near Cuba, and the United States pointed the murderer at Spain. The war ended in August of that year, and the war spread to Spanish colonies in the Pacific Ocean. The American government claims to ensure the safety of the air route to the Asian market. In February, 65438, the two sides signed a peace agreement, Cuba gained independence, Puerto Rico and Guam were under the jurisdiction of the United States, and the United States bought the Philippines for 20 million dollars.
There is another view about the duration of the war. The United States quickly fell into bloody resistance in the Philippines, although not long ago Filipinos fought side by side with the United States. Finally, the US military suppressed the resistance, and it was not until 1946 that the Philippines was recognized as independent.
Sources of British troops in trench warfare: Newsweek website
World War I (1965438+April 2007-1965438+65438+20081October)
It lasted 19 months.
"You can go home before the leaves fall." When the Germans went to the front in August 2004, William II encouraged them. However, their attack on France was frustrated a month later, and the war turned into a two-front battle for four years, killing 9 million people. In the first three years of the war, the United States remained neutral, while Europeans accused both sides of being full of imperial ambitions. Subsequently, the U-submarine attack by Germany and a telegram intercepted by the United States invited Mexico to participate in the war and promised to carve up the southwestern territory of the United States, so that the United States finally entered the war in 19 17.
The United States and Mexico fought fiercely in Paruatu Source: Library of Congress.
America-Mexico War (April1846-February 1848)
It lasted 2 1 month.
The original purpose of this war was to maintain the fact that Texas was annexed by the United States. The United States believed that Texas had become independent from Mexico in 1836 and officially became a part of the United States in 1845. With the expanding ambition of the United States to dominate the American continent, the scope of the war will continue to expand until it covers half the territory of northeastern Mexico. A year and a half after the US military occupied Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, the United States and Mexico signed a peace agreement. The United States symbolically spent $654.38+0.5 billion to acquire all the territories of California, New Mexico and Texas, and the war officially ended.
American troops opened fire on British troops. Source: Library of Congress.
War1812 (1812 June-18/5 February)
It lasted 3 1 month.
The United States has many goals in the 18 12 war: to protect the safety of merchant ships from invasion by British and French navies; Snatching British Canadian colonies; With the support of Britain, stop Indians from harassing the western border; In addition, it hit the British.
If the United States uses professional troops, it may achieve some of its goals. However, the United States is too confident about its "geographical location." They think Britain is too busy dealing with Napoleon in Europe to take care of the colonies on the other side of the ocean. Therefore, American combatants mainly rely on civilians recruited by the state.
Three years later, after a Sisyphus-style tug-of-war, both sides drew. However, a French diplomat commented like this-
This war has given America what it has always lacked: national character.
US Marines climbed the beach of Mariana Island under fire. Associated Press photos.
World war ii (194 1 year 65438+February-1September 945)
It lasted for 44 months.
If hardship is to be used to describe a war experienced by the United States, World War II is natural.
In the first two years of the war, the United States once again watched others fight without directly participating. Therefore, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 194 1, the US military was unprepared and panicked. The U.S. military predicted that the Pacific Ocean would not last long, while the early prediction that the U.S. navy would take up to two years to defeat the Japanese navy. In fact, the US military suffered heavy losses in the Pacific region.
It was not until June 1942 1 1 that American troops fought in landing operation in north africa. 1943, American troops moved from landing operation in north africa to Italy.
Two years later, the axis of Europe was completely destroyed, and only Japan refused to surrender. This decision made Japan suffer a nuclear attack.
The remains of southern soldiers after the Battle of Gettysburg Library of Congress
American Civil War (April1861-April 1865)
It lasted for 47 months.
When Lincoln became the first Republican president in American history and the South decided to quit the federal government, they thought they would win. The south thinks they have better military strategists and moral advantages-they are fighting for their own way of life.
However, historians point out that compared with the abolition of slavery, federalism was the main purpose of the North in the civil war. In addition, because the north has different opinions on how to react, the leaders of the south think that the north may sign a contract with the south instead of launching an all-out war.
In fact, both sides underestimated each other's determination. The number of troops in the north far exceeds that in the south, and the public construction also has advantages, so it can wait for the consumption in the south. The leaders of the south confirmed that a long war would only give European countries time to consider intervention, and as a result, they did not participate in the war. Four years of brutal war ended in fiasco in the south.
Although this is not the longest war in American history, it is the bloodiest war. The number of casualties exceeded half a million.
US troops patrol the Newsweek website on the streets of Fallujah.
Iraq War (March 2003-present)
It lasted 84 months.
In February 2003, US Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld said at an American air base in northern Italy, "The war may last for six days, six weeks, and I even doubt it will last for six months." His goal is to win the support of Europe.
In addition to believing too much in technological superiority and wishful thinking that the United States will be "as popular as a rescuer", the United States also prematurely announced that "the goal has been achieved"-seven years later, the war is still going on.
This year is an election year in Iraq, and the level of public security has improved compared with previous years. However, in many ways, the general election further consolidated the sectarian division brought about by the war in 2003, increased the possibility of violent incidents, and may delay the plan of withdrawing US troops at the end of 201/kloc-0.
British and American troops in the war Newsweek website
War of Independence (April1775-September 1783)
Duration 100 month.
About two months after the gunfire rang out in Lexington, in June 1775, George Washington was appointed commander of the continental army. He knew that he would face a fierce battle. However, he doesn't know when the war will end.
Two days later, he told his wife his decision. He said he hoped to "come back safely and spend the weekend with you". Hope was soon dashed. In June 5438+10, seeing that it was "hopeless" to go home all winter, Washington wrote to invite Marta to come and reunite with him. The war lasted for another five years, until the victory of Yorktown in 178 1.
After that, the small-scale fighting lasted for two years, and it was not until the Paris Treaty was signed that the war officially ended.
The 82nd Airborne Division fought in the mountains around Kandahar.
War in Afghanistan (200 1 10 till now)
It has lasted for 10 1 month so far.
A month after the 9 1 1 incident, the US military declared war on Afghanistan. The goal of this war is clear: destroy Al Qaeda, kill or capture its main leader, and most importantly, bin Laden himself, and overthrow the Taliban regime that provided shelter for Al Qaeda. Eight years later, the war in Afghanistan has become the longest war launched by the US military. Its main goal has not been achieved, and the outcome of the war is unpredictable.
What saddens Americans the most? The war could have ended a month after it started. At that time, U.S. special forces locked bin Laden in the Tora Bora mountains bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan, but the U.S. commander was worried that the action would anger the Pakistani government and spared bin Laden and his men. Many of them found a safe haven and continued to direct the operation of the "base".
In a report published on June 5438+065438+ 10, 2009, John Kerry said: "We failed to destroy Osama bin Laden on May 5438+0, 2006, which not only put our troops and allies in danger, but also led to the continuous war in Afghanistan."
Vietnam War
Vietnam War (August1964-April 1975)
Duration 128 months.
Vietnam War is considered as the longest war in American history, and the fighting time is as long as 128 months. If you count the time of "limited intervention" by the US military, the time will be longer. The American planner of the Vietnam War, that is, the "best and cleverest" man, believed that it was inevitable to defeat the North Vietnamese army with inferior strength and backward equipment with its superb commanding art and technical advantages.
However, the arrogance of Americans cannot shake the determination of their opponents. Ho Chi Minh said in 1966 that if Americans "want to fight for 20 years, then we will fight with him for 20 years." At the same time, Ho Chi Minh also said that if Americans want peace, I will invite them to tea.
The withdrawal of American troops
Korean War (1950 to present)
It lasted 7 17 months.
We can look at this war from two aspects.
First, after three years of war, Washington realized that it was still difficult to change the dividing line of 38 degrees north latitude between the north and south of the Korean Peninsula before the conflict. 1953 the armistice ended the war.
Another view is that because there is no peace treaty, the warring parties are still in a state of war technically. The Korean War, which lasted nearly 60 years, is the longest war experienced by the United States.
PS: I won't go into details about the Kosovo war. The people above have already said that. I'd say it's boring. I hope this answer is helpful to you. Thank you.