A Look at America's Military Interventions and Their Consequences

"When considering U.S. military intervention, some people believe that the United States has overreached in world affairs by taking on the role of "world policemen." Others feel that if the U.S. did not take that role, autocratic countries would fill the vacuum. Autocracy in charge could lead to larger and more violent roles, as well as the disruption of international trade. Regardless of your perspective, it is simplistic to paint all American interventions with the brush of "imperialism.""

"U.S. objectives have changed over time. Here's how: Territorial expansion was a prime motive early in the country's growth. Later, competition with European empires for access to foreign markets led to naval clashes. Troops were sent to various parts of the world to support U.S. business interests and defend American citizens. The U.S. was dragged unwillingly into World War I and II. These conflicts broke up the European empires and brought the U.S. to global leadership."

U.S. military intervention motives changed across periods. Early expansion focused on territorial growth. Later interventions protected access to foreign markets and involved naval clashes to defend business interests and citizens abroad. Entry into World Wars I and II, often reluctantly, ended European imperial dominance and elevated U.S. global leadership. In the postwar era, interventions aimed to prevent or reverse communist influence, preserve freedom of maritime trade, control violent civil wars, and disrupt terrorist networks. Congress retains constitutional authority to declare war under Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, and historically has declared war eleven times across five conflicts.

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