Rather than trying to maintain a standing army, which was unaffordable to the U.S. at the time, the Revolutionary War was largely fought by Minutemen. They were men who lived in their own homes, but if an area was threatened by British forces the Minutemen were called out.
The name Minuteman came from the idea that they could be ready to fight in a minute - put down the pickfork and pick up your rifle. When the battle is over, put your rifle away and get back to the pitchfork. More commomly, they would be called militia.
National Guard troops are sometimes used the same way - particularly during natural disasters, riots, etc.
The Minutemen, being a major part of our fighting force during the Revoluionary War, were deemed an inmportant part of our standing defense following the war. When the Constitution, and the subsequent Bill of Right were written, the founding fathers recognized the necessity of this and included the second amendment to ensure that the government could not become so overbearing as to prevent a state from defending itself.
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Rather than trying to maintain a standing army, which was unaffordable to the U.S. at the time, the Revolutionary War was largely fought by Minutemen. They were men who lived in their own homes, but if an area was threatened by British forces the Minutemen were called out.
The name Minuteman came from the idea that they could be ready to fight in a minute - put down the pickfork and pick up your rifle. When the battle is over, put your rifle away and get back to the pitchfork. More commomly, they would be called militia.
National Guard troops are sometimes used the same way - particularly during natural disasters, riots, etc.
The Minutemen, being a major part of our fighting force during the Revoluionary War, were deemed an inmportant part of our standing defense following the war. When the Constitution, and the subsequent Bill of Right were written, the founding fathers recognized the necessity of this and included the second amendment to ensure that the government could not become so overbearing as to prevent a state from defending itself.
Minutemen were an elite force of the military during the 1800s who could quickly and effectively assemble.
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