North America Books

About North America

North America's military history is shaped by indigenous conflict, colonial conquest, revolutionary movements, and the rise of global superpower status. Before European colonization, indigenous nations such as the Iroquois, Apache, and Aztecs engaged in tribal warfare and complex alliances. The arrival of European powers in the 16th and 17th centuries brought armed struggle over territory, resources, and sovereignty, with conflicts like the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War redrawing borders. The American Revolutionary War marked a turning point in the continent’s identity, followed by the U.S. Civil War—the deadliest conflict in American history. In the 20th century, the United States and Canada emerged as key players in global warfare, contributing significantly to both World Wars and the Cold War. The U.S. military became a dominant global force, with permanent deployments, bases, and interventions spanning the globe. During the Cold War, North America was a nuclear command center and ideological battleground. Modern conflicts such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and homeland security initiatives after 9/11, further shaped the military identity of the continent. While Canada has focused more on peacekeeping and multilateral defense, the U.S. has prioritized global power projection. North America also leads in military technology, research, and innovation. The region’s military legacy continues to influence geopolitics, military alliances, and civil-military relations worldwide.