US wars

[kona]

When was the last constitutionally declared war before WWII? Was it the war directly preceding it? Wikipedia lists many wars in 20th century before WWII and also some in between WWI.

What/how many wars throughout US history were truly constitutional? Is it simply a matter of congress declaring?

[heavenlyboy34]

Unless Article II has been changed or something without my knowledge Congress declares war (though POTUS can ask them to do so too).

[not.your.average.joe]

There have been 5 constitutional wars in US history. They are the War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. The Revolutionary War wasn't declared for obvious reasons, but I like to include it on my list. People try to say that certain wars were constitutional under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which gives the President 60 days of invasion and 30 days of withdrawal without a declaration of war. It is simply a matter of Congress declaring war, although since WWII they have let the executive branch take many of their constitutional powers. Other times in our history the President has gone to war with approval from Congress, but without a declaration. Tom Woods has a good article on this. https://libertyclassroom.com/warpowers/