Military history of the United States

The military history of the United States spans a period of over two centuries. During those years, the United States evolved from a new nation fighting Great Britain for independence (1775 - 1783), through the monumental American Civil War (1861 - 1865) and, after collaborating in triumph during World War II (1941 - 1945), to the world's sole remaining superpower from the late 20th century to present.[2]

The Continental Congress in 1775 established the Continental Army, Continental Navy, and Continental Marines and named General George Washington its commander. This newly formed military, along with state militia forces, the French Army and Navy, and the Spanish Navy defeated the British in 1781. The new Constitution in 1789 made the president the commander in chief, with authority for the Congress to levy taxes, make the laws, and declare war.[3]