National Guard (France)
On the 13th of July 1789, the National Assembly declared the formation of a bourgeois militia. This decision followed a day of anger and violence after King Louis XVI replaced his finance minister with the Baron de Breteuil. The search for weapons for this new group led to the storming of the Hotel des Invalides and then the Bastille on the morning of the 14th of July. Marquis de Lafayette was elected commander in chief of what became known as the National Guard of Paris. Similar bodies formed spontaneously in towns across France due to fears of chaos or counter-revolution. In Limoges, no other military bodies were allowed by November 1789. Each city maintained units operated by local governments for periods not exceeding one year. These groups united under Lafayette on the 14th of July 1790 when he received the title Commandant General of all the National Guards of the Kingdom.
Napoleon Bonaparte did not abolish the existing force but chose to partially disarm it instead. He created a separate Municipal Guard of Paris that functioned as a full-time gendarmerie. During the First Empire, twelve thousand bourgeois property owners served part-time in Paris while equipping themselves at their own expense. Between 1811 and 1812, cohorts organized these men specifically for home defense only. After the disastrous Russian campaign of 1812, dozens of cohorts entered field duty the following year. Four cohorts combined to form line infantry regiments numbered from 135th to 156th. Many fought in Germany during 1813 and the invasion of north-east France in 1814. Six thousand guardsmen participated in the Battle of Paris in 1814 before the force expanded to 35,000 men under allied occupation.
Charles X dissolved the original guard on the 30th of April 1827 after middle-class members expressed hostility toward the monarchy. Muskets from this disbanded force resurfaced during the July Revolution of 1830. A new National Guard emerged in 1831 following that revolution. It played a major role suppressing the June Rebellion of 1832 against King Louis Philippe I. The same unit later fought in the Revolution of 1848 in favor of republicans. During the Franco-Prussian War, the Government of National Defense called upon the Guard to defend Paris against invading Prussians. From March to May 1871, the Paris units expanded to include all able-bodied citizens capable of carrying weapons. Following the Commune's defeat by the regular army, the force faced great hostility from military leaders. On the 14th of March 1872, the National Guard was formally disbanded as a threat to the Third Republic.
French President François Hollande declared the establishment of a new third National Guard after several terror attacks intensified between 2014 and 2015. On the 12th of October 2016, the Cabinet officially reconstituted the guard after 145 years of absence. This new branch became the fifth service of the French Armed Forces under the Ministry of the Armed Forces. The revitalized force would reinforce elements of the National Gendarmerie and the National Police during major events nationwide. Projections expected growth to 72,500 members by 2017 and 86,000 national reservists by 2018. A dedicated budget of 311 million euros supported the formation process. Personnel came from reserves, private sector members, and active personnel seconded to the service. Officers were now seconded from both the Army and the National Gendarmerie as graduates of their respective academies. Division General François-Xavier Poisbeau serves as Secretary-General for the National Guard as of 2024.
Initially multi-colored uniforms of provincial units standardized in 1791 using dark blue coats with red collars. White lapels and cuffs matched those worn by the Paris National Guard since its creation. This color combination aligned with the revolutionary tricolour flag. The uniform headdress was the tricorne. On the 18th of December 1790, a decree supplied the guard with 50,000 fusils. Robespierre promoted ideas that people should be armed with pikes if necessary in January 1791. Under laws passed on the 14th of October 1791, all active citizens and children over 18 years old had to enlist. Five neighborhood units designated as fusiliers or grenadiers made up infantry battalions. Eight to ten battalions comprised a legion. Districts provided companies of veterans drawn from volunteers over 60 or young citizens under 18. Where possible, mounted detachments and artillery batteries operated under the Guard's command.
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Common questions
When was the National Guard of France first created?
The National Assembly declared the formation of a bourgeois militia on the 13th of July 1789. This decision followed a day of anger and violence after King Louis XVI replaced his finance minister with the Baron de Breteuil.
Who commanded the original National Guard of Paris in 1789?
Marquis de Lafayette was elected commander in chief of what became known as the National Guard of Paris. He received the title Commandant General of all the National Guards of the Kingdom on the 14th of July 1790.
Why did Charles X dissolve the original National Guard in 1827?
Charles X dissolved the original guard on the 30th of April 1827 after middle-class members expressed hostility toward the monarchy. Muskets from this disbanded force resurfaced during the July Revolution of 1830.
What date officially reconstituted the third National Guard of France?
On the 12th of October 2016, the Cabinet officially reconstituted the guard after 145 years of absence. French President François Hollande declared the establishment of a new third National Guard after several terror attacks intensified between 2014 and 2015.
How many men were projected to serve in the revitalized National Guard by 2018?
Projections expected growth to 72,500 members by 2017 and 86,000 national reservists by 2018. A dedicated budget of 311 million euros supported the formation process for this branch under the Ministry of the Armed Forces.