<P> The United States has formally declared war against foreign nations five separate times , each upon prior request by the President of the United States . Four of those five declarations came after hostilities had begun . James Madison reported that in the Federal Convention of 1787 , the phrase `` make war '' was changed to `` declare war '' in order to leave to the Executive the power to repel sudden attacks but not to commence war without the explicit approval of Congress . Debate continues as to the legal extent of the President 's authority in this regard . Public opposition to American involvement in foreign wars , particularly during the 1930s , was expressed as support for a Constitutional Amendment that would require a national referendum on a declaration of war . Several Constitutional Amendments , such as the Ludlow Amendment , have been proposed that would require a national referendum on a declaration of war . </P>
<P> The United States has formally declared war against foreign nations five separate times , each upon prior request by the President of the United States . Four of those five declarations came after hostilities had begun . James Madison reported that in the Federal Convention of 1787 , the phrase `` make war '' was changed to `` declare war '' in order to leave to the Executive the power to repel sudden attacks but not to commence war without the explicit approval of Congress . Debate continues as to the legal extent of the President 's authority in this regard . Public opposition to American involvement in foreign wars , particularly during the 1930s , was expressed as support for a Constitutional Amendment that would require a national referendum on a declaration of war . Several Constitutional Amendments , such as the Ludlow Amendment , have been proposed that would require a national referendum on a declaration of war . </P>
congress has formally declared war times in u.s. history
congress has formally declared war times in u.s. history
five
five