From the American Revolution to the Bush administration's "war on terrorism" and the invasion of Iraq, this volume examines how, and under what circumstances, the United States has decided to wage war. Four narrative chapters introduce readers to the history and impact of the legal issues involved in waging war, and examine the social, legal, and political forces that have shaped wartime policies at crucial moments in U.S. history. An extensive collection of important documents is provided, along with a glossary of key people, events, and concepts; a chronology; a table of cases cited; an annotated bibliography; and a comprehensive index.