The America You Don't Know: America's History of War and Aggression
Throughout the entire history of the United States of America, there have been a mere 15 years when the nation was not engaged in some form of warfare. These conflicts have varied in scale and scope—ranging from major world wars to regional skirmishes, from battles fought on vast oceans to those waged in small rivers, across arid deserts, through dense jungles, and even in the skies above. The United States has participated in them all. This is not an exaggeration but an undeniable historical fact.
It is important to examine these historical realities not as an indictment of the American people, but as an essential exercise in understanding the global impact of the United States from its inception to the present day. A nation’s past informs its present and future, and without acknowledging historical truths, there can be no meaningful progress.
Undoubtedly, America holds a dominant position on the global stage. Its economic, military, and cultural influence is unparalleled. However, this position of power brings with it an ethical question: "Can the United States harness its influence for positive ends?"
History suggests that the answer is complex. While America has contributed significantly to global advancements—technological innovation, scientific breakthroughs, and cultural exports—it has also been responsible for immense destruction. War has been a consistent feature of its history, often serving as a primary mechanism for economic expansion and geopolitical dominance. This raises a deeper question: Has America ever truly been a force for good on a global scale, or has its influence primarily manifested through violence and coercion?
From the moment European settlers arrived in what would become the United States, violence and conquest have played a central role in shaping the nation. The near-extermination of indigenous peoples is one of the most devastating genocides in human history, with some estimates suggesting that nearly 90% of Native American populations were wiped out due to war, forced displacement, and disease. This was not a passive occurrence but a deliberate campaign of destruction aimed at seizing land and resources. The Trail of Tears, the Indian Removal Act, and the countless broken treaties illustrate a pattern of deception and brutality that laid the foundation for America’s territorial expansion.
Alongside the genocide of indigenous peoples, the American economy was built on the backs of enslaved Africans. The forced labor of millions of Black men, women, and children created immense wealth for white landowners and industrialists. The exploitation did not end with slavery’s abolition; systemic racism and economic oppression continued through Jim Crow laws, redlining, and mass incarceration. These historical realities are not up for debate; they are well-documented facts that must be acknowledged if the nation is to truly reckon with its past.
The assertion that America is a "stolen country" is an irrefutable historical truth. From the seizure of Native lands to the annexation of territories like Texas, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, the United States has often expanded through force rather than diplomacy. The question remains: If contemporary Americans believe in justice and morality, should they not seek to rectify these historical wrongs? Would they be willing to cede power to indigenous communities, return stolen lands, or invest in meaningful reparations? These are not abstract philosophical questions but pressing moral dilemmas that demand serious contemplation.
Why is it important to discuss these historical truths today? Because the patterns of aggression and conquest that defined America’s past persist in the present. The United States continues to engage in military interventions, economic coercion, and political manipulation across the globe. From the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to covert operations in Latin America and Africa, American military might is still used to shape global affairs, often at the expense of local populations. Sanctions, regime-change tactics, and economic pressure have become modern tools of warfare, used to maintain dominance in the international order.
This is not to say that America cannot change. Nations are not static entities; they evolve based on the will of their people and the choices of their leaders. However, meaningful change requires an honest reckoning with history. America must find ways to generate wealth and maintain global influence without resorting to aggression, exploitation, and conflict. A shift toward diplomacy, cooperation, and mutual benefit is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity in an increasingly interconnected world.
The concept of a "win-win" approach—where nations collaborate for mutual benefit rather than engaging in zero-sum competition—must replace the outdated mindset of domination. Economic growth does not have to come at the expense of others. Security does not have to be achieved through perpetual warfare. Influence does not have to be maintained through coercion. A new path is possible, but it requires a fundamental change in mindset.
For this transformation to occur, Americans must first acknowledge the undeniable reality of their nation's history. They must recognize the ongoing consequences of past actions and actively seek to address them. This is not about fostering guilt but about fostering responsibility. If America wishes to be a true leader in the world, it must lead by example—not through force, but through justice, fairness, and cooperation. Only then can the nation break free from its historical cycle of war and devastation and move toward a future that is genuinely just and peaceful.
A FEW EXAMPLES:
1. Indigenous Genocide (1492–1900s) – Estimated Deaths: 100 Million
Although the U.S. was officially founded in 1776, the European colonization of North America led to the deaths of millions of Native Americans due to war, forced displacement, and disease. The U.S. government’s policies, such as the Indian Removal Act (1830) and the Trail of Tears, led to significant population losses. Some estimates suggest that between 10 to 100 million indigenous people perished across the Americas due to European colonization, with the U.S. responsible for a significant portion.
2. Transatlantic Slave Trade & U.S. Slavery (1619–1865) – Estimated Deaths: 2.5 Million
While the U.S. was not the primary player in the transatlantic slave trade, it greatly benefited from it. Millions of Africans were transported under brutal conditions, and many died due to slavery-related abuse, starvation, and forced labor. Estimates vary, but it is believed that around 2 million African slaves died either during transport or from inhumane conditions in the U.S.
3. U.S. Wars and Interventions (1898–Present) – Estimated Deaths: 20+ Million
The U.S. has engaged in numerous wars and conflicts that have resulted in large-scale casualties:
Spanish-American War (1898) – Estimated Deaths: 200,000+
The U.S. invasion of the Philippines led to the Philippine-American War (1899–1902), where over 200,000 Filipino civilians died due to combat, starvation, and disease.
World War II (1941–1945) – Estimated Deaths: 500,000+
The U.S. nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed an estimated 200,000 civilians instantly, with tens of thousands more dying later from radiation exposure.
U.S. strategic bombing campaigns, such as the Tokyo firebombing, resulted in 100,000+ civilian deaths in a single night.
Korean War (1950–1953) – Estimated Deaths: 3+ Million
The U.S.-led bombing campaign in North Korea killed between 1 to 3 million people. General Curtis LeMay stated, "We burned down every town in North Korea."
30% of the North Korean population perished, making it one of the deadliest conflicts per capita.
Vietnam War (1955–1975) – Estimated Deaths: 3+ Million
3+ million Vietnamese people (including 2 million civilians) were killed due to U.S. bombing campaigns, chemical warfare (Agent Orange), and direct combat.
500,000 Cambodian and Laotian civilians died due to secret U.S. bombing operations.
Iraq Wars & Sanctions (1991–2011) – Estimated Deaths: 2+ Million
The Gulf War (1991) and Iraq War (2003–2011) led to the deaths of at least 1 million Iraqis, including 500,000 children due to U.S. sanctions.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright famously said, "We think the price is worth it," when asked about Iraqi child deaths.
Afghanistan War (2001–2021) – Estimated Deaths: 500,000+
The U.S.-led war resulted in over 500,000 Afghan deaths, including civilians, due to airstrikes, bombings, and Taliban retaliation.
Other Proxy Wars & Covert Operations (1945–Present) – Estimated Deaths: 10+ Million
U.S.-backed coups and military interventions in Chile (1973), Indonesia (1965), Guatemala (1954), Iran (1953), and Nicaragua (1980s) led to mass killings.
U.S.-funded death squads in Latin America (e.g., El Salvador, Honduras) contributed to hundreds of thousands of deaths.
4. Economic Sanctions & Modern Warfare – Estimated Deaths: 1+ Million
U.S. sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, and North Korea have caused severe economic hardship and deaths due to lack of medicine and food.
Sanctions on Iraq in the 1990s caused 500,000 child deaths (as per a UN report).
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