The United States has been involved in many wars since its founding. A number of those conflicts took place on lands long inhabited by Indigenous peoples, whose ancestors had lived across North and South America for thousands of years. Their societies, like all others, faced challenges—natural disasters such as droughts and storms, as well as internal conflicts and disagreements. At times, both environmental hardships and human violence led to loss and disruption. 

In some cases, wars involving the United States were fought on territory that was already occupied well before the nation came into existence. When conflict unfolds close to home, it often draws people in, whether they seek it or not.