Aggressive expansion in the name of peace

Everyone knows how the United States became a country , right ? Our forefathers were tired of the tyranny and oppression of King George III , there was various skirmishes , we declared our independence from the crown , and the rest is history. Well, here's some United States history  you might not know about : since 1775, with the exception of 16 years , the United States has been engaged in continuous,and sometimes multiple, armed conflict(s). That's 221 years of death and destruction ; with the possibility of more of the same! The United States , has fought : the various" Indian" tribes, slaves , the British , the French, the Spanish , pirates , itself, the Chinese and the list goes on and on; all in the name of imperialism! Why do I share this , you might ask ?  Well, George Santayana ,a famous philosopher said, " Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it." I believe that we as a nation ,have forgotten or neglected to study our past , resulting in our present fiasco (Syria). Armed with knowledge of our past,our leaders cannot lie to us and declare war in the name of peace for the cause of"democracy"(imperialism) .                                                                                                                                   "From where Winston stood it was just possible to read,picked out on its white face in elegant lettering, the three slogans of the party: War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is Strength." .....quote taken from George Orwell's book:" 1984".