National Guard

Definition

The National Guard was a military force formed during the French Revolution, primarily consisting of citizens who volunteered to maintain order and protect the newly established revolutionary government. It played a crucial role in the early years of the revolution, as it aimed to provide a semblance of stability while also embodying the principles of liberty and civic responsibility.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The National Guard was established in July 1789 shortly after the storming of the Bastille, initially to maintain order in Paris.
2. It was made up primarily of middle-class citizens and volunteers who were dedicated to defending revolutionary ideals and protecting the populace.
3. The National Guard was recognized as an official military force and was often involved in conflicts against counter-revolutionary groups and royalist supporters.
4. Marquis de Lafayette served as its first commander and advocated for a constitutional monarchy while promoting civic duty among its members.
5. Over time, the National Guard's influence waned, especially as political factions emerged, leading to its disbandment during the radical phase of the revolution.

Review Questions

• How did the formation of the National Guard reflect the revolutionary ideals of the French Revolution?
  • The formation of the National Guard reflected the revolutionary ideals by empowering ordinary citizens to take part in maintaining order and protecting their rights. It represented a shift from a professional army to a citizen-led force, promoting the concept that defense of the nation was not solely a military responsibility but a civic duty. This alignment with principles like liberty and equality illustrated how revolutionaries sought to engage the populace in governance and self-defense.
• Analyze how the role of Marquis de Lafayette influenced the early operations and objectives of the National Guard.
  • Marquis de Lafayette's influence on the National Guard was significant as he provided leadership and sought to balance revolutionary fervor with a desire for stability. He envisioned the National Guard as a force that would uphold constitutional governance while preventing chaos. His dual role as both a military leader and advocate for reform helped shape its mission to protect citizens' rights while discouraging extreme radicalism during the revolution's formative years.
• Evaluate the reasons for the decline in power and eventual disbandment of the National Guard during the later stages of the French Revolution.
  • The decline in power of the National Guard can be attributed to several factors, including rising political factionalism and shifting allegiances within revolutionary groups. As radical factions gained prominence, they increasingly viewed the National Guard as insufficiently revolutionary or even counter-revolutionary due to its connections with moderate leaders like Lafayette. This perception led to conflicts between guard members and radical forces, culminating in its disbandment during more violent phases of the revolution when loyalty to extreme political ideologies overshadowed civic responsibility.

Related terms

Bastille:

A fortress in Paris that became a symbol of the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy; its storming on July 14, 1789, marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: A fundamental document of the French Revolution that outlined individual and collective rights and established principles such as liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Marquis de Lafayette: A key figure in both the American and French Revolutions, he played a leading role in the establishment of the National Guard and sought to promote constitutional monarchy in France.