A well-regulated history of militias in America
After independence, America’s militias were seen as an alternative to a standing army, but they fell by the wayside in the 19th century, only to be revived in the late 20th century by self-appointed patriots animated by fears of big government, illegal immigration, and societal collapse.
1776: General George Washington gripes about the militiamen among his forces, “whose behavior and want of discipline has done great injury to the other troops.”
1787: Constitutional Convention delegates clash over whether the militia should
