colonial militias
Local volunteer soldiers
Colonial militias were locally organized military forces in territories under colonial rule, particularly in British North America before and during the American Revolution.
Unlike professional armies, militias consisted of ordinary male citizens who trained part-time and could be called up for defense: The colonial militia gathered at the town green.
These forces provided security against raids and later formed the backbone of revolutionary resistance.
- Lexington and ConcordFirst armed colonial conflict
- MinutemenColonial instant-ready militia
- French and Indian War1750s colonial North American conflict
- Revolutionary WarColonial uprising against Britain
- civic dutyObligation owed to community
self-governance · town meetings · bayonets · citizen-soldiers · volunteer soldiers · call to arms · Second Amendment · powder horns · powder keg · local leadership · American colonies · bear arms · guerrilla warfare · Ethan Allen · fife · redcoats · British regulars · patriotism
- Militiasterritorial defense, citizen army, home guard, minutemen, volunteer army
- Seven Years WarSeven Years War, French and Indian War, Quebec, Montreal, Treaty of Paris
- Indian WarsIndian Wars, King Philip's War, frontier wars, Little Bighorn, Wounded Knee
- military unitsarmy, battalion, squad, brigade, company
colonial militiasregular army
Nation's permanent military force
standing army · regulars · career soldiers · Continental Army · federal army
colonial militiasBritish Army
UK's land warfare branch
rebel forces · imperial troops · partisan fighters · freedom fighters