Is it even possible to successfully invade the United States?

Korean

I was wondering for a while but is an invasion of the United States even possible?
People have often written of scenarios and stories of what would happen if the United States was invaded by a foreign power, but I would imagine that the Invasion of the United States would actually be very difficult or almost impossible for a nation to do even if the United States was weakened?

points
- The United States is protected by two vast oceans and guarded by the greatest modern navy and air force that has even existed.
- a large percentage of U.S citizenry is armed and loyal to the United States so guerrilla warfare is basically assured.
- the United States is vast and is composed of many environments.

Are there any other points I missed? What would need to happen for the United States to be open to an attack?

Basically, was it even possible for any country to invade the United States after 1900?
 

Loli American

Banned
Yes

That "greatest modern navy and air force" didn't really exist prior to WWII. The American military as a whole was small, inexperienced, and suited only for internal policing/colonial warfare. A great naval power like the British Empire could conceivably invade the United States if they put in the effort to build a large army, especially considering the fact that Canada is so close to the American heartland. The biggest problem of course is that the British and American Empires had a strong, symbiotic and strategic relationship that makes war between them unlikely with a post-1900 PoD.

The "armed and loyal" citizenry thing is silly. America has/has had lots of skilled hunters, but most of the civilian population isn't and has never been soldiers. With proper training and supplies from an outside force they could conceivably be turned into guerrillas. Likely in the event of a successful invasion, intense guerrilla warfare would die out once the American Mujahideen run out of ammo and food, along with other basic supplies. Don't forget that the American Revolution only succeeded because the French were generous enough to help.

And while America is "vast", the vast majority of that vastness isn't particularly good land. A war in the continental United States is going to be won by whoever controls the agricultural and industrial regions, which are all concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

It's not exactly feasible for a successful invasion of the present day United States to happen anytime soon, mostly because it would take decades for any conceivable enemy to build up a military capable of maintaining parity yet alone defeating the Americans, but the United States was not a great military power historically. They relied on the British Empire for protection of both the homeland and their sphere of influence. In a world where British hegemony is broken, America could conceivably come under threat.
 

Jiraiyathegallant

image.jpg
 

vuun

Longshot suggestion, they wouldn't take most of the country, and probably ultimately be defeated.

Would an alternate Mexico that successfully industrialized in the early 20th century then went fascist and joined the Axis be able to successfully invade the American Southwest (which they'd see as rightfully theirs)?
 

Berkeley2017

Loli American said:
Yes

That "greatest modern navy and air force" didn't really exist prior to WWII. The American military as a whole was small, inexperienced, and suited only for internal policing/colonial warfare. A great naval power like the British Empire could conceivably invade the United States if they put in the effort to build a large army, especially considering the fact that Canada is so close to the American heartland. The biggest problem of course is that the British and American Empires had a strong, symbiotic and strategic relationship that makes war between them unlikely with a post-1900 PoD.

The "armed and loyal" citizenry thing is silly. America has/has had lots of skilled hunters, but most of the civilian population isn't and has never been soldiers. With proper training and supplies from an outside force they could conceivably be turned into guerrillas. Likely in the event of a successful invasion, intense guerrilla warfare would die out once the American Mujahideen run out of ammo and food, along with other basic supplies. Don't forget that the American Revolution only succeeded because the French were generous enough to help.

And while America is "vast", the vast majority of that vastness isn't particularly good land. A war in the continental United States is going to be won by whoever controls the agricultural and industrial regions, which are all concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

It's not exactly feasible for a successful invasion of the present day United States to happen anytime soon, mostly because it would take decades for any conceivable enemy to build up a military capable of maintaining parity yet alone defeating the Americans, but the United States was not a great military power historically. They relied on the British Empire for protection of both the homeland and their sphere of influence. In a world where British hegemony is broken, America could conceivably come under threat.
Click to expand...
If Britain ever builds up troops in Canada, the US will catch on and will mobilize even faster. America kept a small military because it didn't NEED a large one but if the need ever occurs, they have the industrial capacity to create a large army in a very short timeframe, certainly faster than it would take for Britain to ship troops to Canada.
 
wcv215

wcv215

vuun said:
Longshot suggestion, they wouldn't take most of the country, and probably ultimately be defeated.

Would an alternate Mexico that successfully industrialized in the early 20th century then went fascist and joined the Axis be able to successfully invade the American Southwest (which they'd see as rightfully theirs)?
Click to expand...

No. Even assuming Mexico swallowed enough lead paint to try they will be ejected. A fascist Mexico will push the US toward far faster rearmament since there would be a threat to the country right next door (no Canada/Britain don't count, they weren't a threat and everyone knew it.)

By WWII the US is too big and too economically powerful.

To the OP, define invade. Successfully...maybe Britain could do it. They wouldn't, but they at least have the capacity to try and achieve short term success. Although this:

Korean said:
- a large percentage of U.S citizenry is armed and loyal to the United States so guerrilla warfare is basically assured.
Click to expand...

is basically irrelevant tbh.
 
Roland Traveler

Roland Traveler

Invade? As get troops ashore and occupy an area? Sure. Occupy the country long-term? Unless it's pre-1939 and you've somehow gathered a global coalition (occupying a place as large as the US requires lots of manpower, cash, resources, and political will), no. No single country, except maybe China or India after they reach 1 billion people, can provide enough troops to hold down the entire US, leaving the remaining parts a potential sore thumb that can rally and drain the occupiers before they deem staying not worth it.
 

Arkenfolm

Everytime we have one of these threads, the only option presented is "invade from Canada" or "invade from Mexico". Because that's the only actual, realistic option, when everything else is Sealion on steroids.
 

missouribob

Banned
Sure but pre-1945 you'd need a balkanized United States. Post 1945 but pre-1970 maybe wank the Soviets so they have a more advanced nuclear and missile program, things go hot and the U.S. survives but barely in a rump form. By the time you get to that ATL 2020/30 you *might have an India as the new global hegemon and able to invade. Of course why this India would want to invade a relative wasteland would be beyond me but still. Post 1970? Idk maybe some Soviet bioweapon leaks killing 90 percent of the species and collapsing most governments to include the United States. Hundreds of years in the future a new empire arises and invades?
 

Gudestein

in the 1940's. Mexico far most likely, but they couldnt carry through.
As said above, it is Sea lion on steroids. I would say the only option requires a massive gap in WMD capabilities and power projection capabilities.
Johnboy made a TL called "the illiterate Fuhrer" based on my first TL, "the Literate Fuhrer". Its not exactly realistic (the illiterate is a parody for that reason) but you'll need some way to get to similar preconditions.
Indeed, it is Sea lion on steroids - and WMD's.
 

Riain

Banned
A coalition of European countries prior to 1916 could invade from Canada, Mexico and other points along the coasts. The USA was staggeringly weak prior to ww1, so much so that its hard to believe these days.
 

longsword14

Banned
Riain said:
A coalition of European countries prior to 1916 could invade from Canada, Mexico and other points along the coasts. The USA was staggeringly weak prior to ww1, so much so that its hard to believe these days.
Click to expand...
The reason was, as you just wrote, that no substantial strength was ever required because no such coalition was going to magic up, nor would any strong build up be silent and quick enough to actually bring a decision on land. Post 1900 is way too late.
 
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