Militia vs. Standing Army during the Colonists Time
- The reason was reflected in social and economic issues (Englebert and Guillaume 35).
- The regular army demands a lot of spending, namely providing meals, place of living, training, and uniform.
- The formation of the army is usually dependent on the ideology and military doctrine.
The colonial militia was believed to be a powerful tool that was used by Americans in their struggle against Great Britain. The tradition to use militia was rooted in 1630ies. During that time, the Virginia assembly was searching for the males who could take part in the military conflicts. With the help of militia, the colonists dealt with a number of issues, namely solved slave uprisings and protected the families. The reason the American government did not use the permanent professional army was reflected in social and economic issues (Englebert and Guillaume 35). The regular army demands a lot of spending, namely providing meals, place of living, training, and uniform whereas militia was formed by local citizens that could not be provided with the stated above benefits. The formation of the army is usually dependent on the ideology and military doctrine. During colonial times, it was difficult or almost impossible to unite all people in one army, whereas militia was the local formation that was easy to command and to direct.
The Ways of the Usage of the Militia
The Congress declared three major aspects when militia could be used, namely the law execution, the suppression of the uprisings, and repelling of invasions (Tovy 3).
During the nineteenth century, the United States had two types of armies, namely a standing army and militia. The fundamental difference between the kinds is that the first one refers to the national force and the second one describes the local formations. The Congress declared three major aspects when militia could be used, namely the law execution, the suppression of the uprisings, and repelling of invasions.
Revolutionary War and the Viewpoint towards the Militia
- The viewpoint towards militia was controversial throughout the colonial time.
- The Revolutionary War caused a number of disputes regarding the effectiveness of militia (Grayson 36).
- American experience with the British army contributed to the negative attitude towards the standing army.
The viewpoint towards militia was controversial throughout the colonial time. The Revolutionary War caused a number of disputes regarding the effectiveness of militia. The colonists were highly dependent on the local formations that were not only defenders but played an important role in maintaining the order. American colonists relied on the troops of Great Britain. However, the American experience with the British army contributed to the negative attitude towards the standing army as they view it as the symbol of monarchy and tyranny.
Despite the fact that militia and the Britain troops cannot be compared, the militia made a number of vital contributions to the victory (Grayson 36).
Although the vast majority complained regarding the disadvantages of militia, the significance of part-time soldiers should not be undervalued. They performed essential tasks that were crucial for the independence winning. Despite the fact that militia and the Britain troops cannot be compared, the militia made a number of vital contributions to the victory.
Domestic and National Security Issues Influencing the Attitude towards the Militia
- Militia represents the power of local people, whereas the national army represents the dominance of the state over the citizens.
- The Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 proved that militia cannot fight against bigger and more professional enemy (Nickerson and Chernia 24).
The effectiveness of militia and the centralized army was commonly discussed and argued. Militia represents the power of local people, whereas the national army represents the dominance of the state over the citizens. The Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 proved that although militia has a number of advantages, it cannot fight against bigger and more professional enemy. There was a need to create the system that would be similar to the army of the Great Britain.
The power of militia was not in the strength of the military skills or coordination, the power was in the number of part-time soldiers.
Militia was the most effective for the local and short term tasks. The power of militia was not in the strength of the military skills or coordination, the power was in the number of part-time soldiers. After the conflict, it was too complicated to consolidate all the military units in one structure. However, the government aimed to save the most effective soldiers and continue their training for the creation of the system that would be used for defending, protection, and fast reaction. The model of the standing army fulfills these objectives in the best way.
The War of 1812 as a Challenge for the Militia Tradition
After the War of 1812, the United States made the improvement and advance of the navy and army the main strategy as the war proved that militia was unable to perform serious long-term campaigns and professionally managed with artillery (Hannings 355).
Some American historians are sure that the War of 1812 can be considered as the war that shaped the nation or the second war for independence. This military conflict was the reason that different local groups of the United States realized that they are the one organism. In addition, the United States of America loudly declared itself on the world’s arena joining in the war with the superpower. The war destroyed the powerful unions of the Indian tribes which theoretically could have resisted the expansion of the United States. After the War of 1812, the United States made the improvement and advance of the navy and army the main strategy as the war proved that militia was unable to perform serious long-term campaigns and professionally managed with artillery (Hannings 355).
The War with Mexico and the Make-Up of the American Military
The annexation of Texas and the war with Mexico provoked the controversial reaction within the society.
Volunteers were taken in the army for a period of 90 days, which expired after the battle of Bull Run. In the critical moment, the country was left almost without the army (Huffines 27).
The annexation of Texas and the war with Mexico provoked the controversial reaction within the society. In the 14 of April 1861, the fort Sumter was defeated and the next day, Lincoln declared that 75,000 of volunteers are needed for the war. This militia functioned ninety days and was considered as the most unorganized and ineffective military formation. Volunteers were taken in the army for a period of 90 days, which expired after the battle of Bull Run. In the critical moment, the country was left almost without the army.
Works Cited
Englebert, Robert, and Guillaume Teasdale. FrenchandIndiansintheHeartofNorthAmerica, 1630-1815. East Lansing: Michigan State UP, 2013. Print.
Grayson, Robert. RevolutionaryWar. North Mankato: ABDO, 2014. Print.
Hannings, Bud. TheWarof 1812: A CompleteChronologywithBiographiesof 63 GeneralOfficers. Jefferson: McFarland, 2012. Print.
Huffines, Alan. TexasWarofIndependence. New York: Rosen Group, 2011. Print.
Nickerson, Janice C., and Ruth Chernia. York’sSacrifice: MilitiaCasualtiesoftheWarof 1812. Toronto: Dundurn, 2012. Print.
Tovy, Tal. “Militia or Regular Army?” EjasEuropeanJournalofAmericanStudies 5.1 (2010): 1-17. Web.