Wars and military conflicts in North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean from the days of early European exploration to the present form the subject matter of this volume. The focus reveals certain historical trends common to virtually every modern nation state in the Americas.; Organized chronologically according to conflict, each section begins with a brief historical overview, which is followed by chronological entries describing key military and political events and their significance.; Thousands of specific battles are covered, as are conflicts between European and native peoples, larger wars between European powers, wars of independence throughout the New World, civil wars, and wars between nations of the Americas.; Maps illuminate place names and political boundaries, and historical maps and illustrations help place battles and events in geographical and historic perspective.