US Wars with Indigenous Tribes

"US history, as well as inherited Indigenous trauma, cannot be understood without dealing with the genocide that the United States committed against Indigenous peoples."

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States

The data considered covers only actions of the US Federal Government from its founding.

Max of 8 was in 1918. 40 out of the 246 years between 1775 and 2017 had zero active wars (16.26% of US history are peaceful years). Longest consecutive period of peace was 6 years, and happened twice: 1934-40, and 1976-81.

Prior to 1900, all but the Revolutionary War, Mexican-American War, and Civil War were against native tribes.

Distribution of Length of Wars

The longest war in US history is against the Apache Nation, which was continuous from 1849-1925: 77 years, seen here as an extreme outlier. It was the last of the American Indian Wars, immediately following the Last Indian Uprising 1923-24.

Map of At-War Tribes' Land Ceded to US Government

Red areas correspond to lands apportioned via treaty from tribes listed as being in a war, circa 1894-1897

Yellow areas correspond to current Indian reservations, 2020 Census

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Prior to 1900, all but the Revolutionary War, Mexican-American War, and Civil War were against native tribes.