American Militias

American militias have a long history. Dating back to the Revolutionary War era, the design of the militia is different than the military in various ways. For one, military service requires a set time of service, while members of a militia form only for specific purposes with time served determined by each incident. Military servicemen also receive a salary and supplies from the government, whereas militia members provide what they need for the duration of their fight. The Minutemen were members of the colonial militia. They got their name from their ability to mobilize quickly to respond to threats during the Revolutionary War. Paul Revere could quite possibly be the most well known man from an American militia. He was the one to spread the news that the British were coming.

Before the Civil War, American militias were controlled by the states, and each managed them differently. Some Southern states used militias for various means related to slavery, especially control of the slave population. In the North, American militias were supportive of the abolitionist cause and would often organize to further the cause. After the Civil War, many militias were made from freed slaves and were used in Southern states. American militias sometimes evolved to become militant groups to further various causes.