The National Guard

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the National Guard, America's militia, exploring its critical importance to America's success in wars between 1776 and 1918. The paper explains that the National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation's longest-enduring institutions. The paper presents a brief history of the role played by the National Guard in America's military history, with an examination of its specific, incalculable contributions during the War of 1812 and the Spanish-American War.

From the Paper:

"American's history parallels the National Guard's history. The roots of the National Guard emanate from the various colonial militias organized by English colonists during the 1600s. The actual moniker "National Guard" was initially utilized used by units of the New York State Militia. The use of the name was in reference to the Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette, during his visit to the United States in 1825. "After the American Revolution, the Marquis had returned to France where he commanded the Paris militia, the famous "Garde Nationale," during the French Revolution. By the 1880s, the new designation had been adopted by state militias throughout the United States." In 1877, for instance, the Iowa Militia was officially renamed the Iowa National Guard."

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