Constitutional militia movement
Encyclopedia
The modern constitutional militia movement, the constitutionalist wing of the "militia movement
" in the United States
, became active in the mid 1990s in response to outrage about the violent confrontation at Ruby Ridge
, the Waco Siege
and gun control
legislation. The movement is composed largely of veteran
s, libertarians
, and Second Amendment advocates
who share a common motivation of anger at federal government actions and also a set of ideals associated with the values of the militia they see embodied in the Constitution.
with precedents in United States colonial history, found in the Articles of Confederation
, the U.S. Constitution, and subsequent federal legislation. This early republican militia tradition included an armed populace that was supposed to be kept organized and ready to function to safeguard against the tyranny of government and standing armies.
The constitutional militia movement has continuity back to the American Revolution
, with periods of subsidence and revival. Revivals include Fries Rebellion (1799),the Revolution of 1800, the Dorr Rebellion
(1842), the Copperheads (1861–65), and the American Liberty League
(1934). Throughout American history, there have also been other constitutionalist revivals in opposition to many governmental actions deemed unconstitutional.
Some writers have claimed the modern revival of the constitutional militia movement began as early as 1958, but that, in this early phase, it was associated ideologically with the white supremacist Christian Identity
movement mixed with constitutionalist elements. However, the more comprehensive recent treatment of the subject by Robert Churchill debunks this portrayal.
Beginning about 1960, a fear of Communism was prevalent in the United States in light of communist victories in China, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. This concern was shared by members of the constitutional militia movement who feared a collectivist takeover of the United States. The constitutionalist militia purpose draws upon the old Colonial role of the militias as defenders of America against foreign invaders generally, and specifically against collectivist forces infiltrating and dominating within the United States. These militia revivals believed in the sanctity of the U.S. Constitution, and that certain groups are conspiring to destroy America. Unlike the Christian Identity groups, the Constitutionalist militias generally resist casting blame on ethnic, racial or religious groups, but rather blame influential individuals or groups of individuals (e.g., the Bilderberg Group
, the Trilateral Commission
) who promote globalization; collectively known as the New World Order.
Operational features include.:
However, others view constitutionalism
as the movement, having a militia wing, rather than a militia movement with a constitutionalist wing.
Militia movement (United States)
The militia movement is a political movement of paramilitary groups in the United States. Members of the movement typically refer to themselves as militia, "unorganized militia", and "constitutional militia"...
" in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, became active in the mid 1990s in response to outrage about the violent confrontation at Ruby Ridge
Ruby Ridge
Ruby Ridge was the site of a violent confrontation and siege in northern Idaho in 1992. It involved Randy Weaver, his family, Weaver's friend Kevin Harris, and agents of the United States Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation...
, the Waco Siege
Waco Siege
The Waco siege began on February 28, 1993, and ended violently 50 days later on April 19. The siege began when the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms attempted to execute a search warrant at the Branch Davidian ranch at Mount Carmel, a property located east-northeast of Waco,...
and gun control
Gun control
Gun control is any law, policy, practice, or proposal designed to restrict or limit the possession, production, importation, shipment, sale, and/or use of guns or other firearms by private citizens...
legislation. The movement is composed largely of veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s, libertarians
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
, and Second Amendment advocates
Gun culture
The gun culture is a culture shared by people in the gun politics debate, generally those who advocate preserving gun rights and who are generally against more gun control...
who share a common motivation of anger at federal government actions and also a set of ideals associated with the values of the militia they see embodied in the Constitution.
Background
The roots of the modern Constitutional militia movement are found in the revolutionary nature of the militiaMilitia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
with precedents in United States colonial history, found in the Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, formally the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement among the 13 founding states that legally established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution...
, the U.S. Constitution, and subsequent federal legislation. This early republican militia tradition included an armed populace that was supposed to be kept organized and ready to function to safeguard against the tyranny of government and standing armies.
The constitutional militia movement has continuity back to the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, with periods of subsidence and revival. Revivals include Fries Rebellion (1799),the Revolution of 1800, the Dorr Rebellion
Dorr Rebellion
The Dorr Rebellion was a short-lived armed insurrection in the U.S. state of Rhode Island led by Thomas Wilson Dorr, who was agitating for changes to the state's electoral system.- Precursors :...
(1842), the Copperheads (1861–65), and the American Liberty League
American Liberty League
The American Liberty League was an American political organization formed in 1934 by conservative Democrats to oppose the New Deal of Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was active for just two years...
(1934). Throughout American history, there have also been other constitutionalist revivals in opposition to many governmental actions deemed unconstitutional.
Some writers have claimed the modern revival of the constitutional militia movement began as early as 1958, but that, in this early phase, it was associated ideologically with the white supremacist Christian Identity
Christian Identity
Christian Identity is a label applied to a wide variety of loosely affiliated believers and churches with a racialized theology. Many promote a Eurocentric interpretation of Christianity.According to Chester L...
movement mixed with constitutionalist elements. However, the more comprehensive recent treatment of the subject by Robert Churchill debunks this portrayal.
Beginning about 1960, a fear of Communism was prevalent in the United States in light of communist victories in China, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. This concern was shared by members of the constitutional militia movement who feared a collectivist takeover of the United States. The constitutionalist militia purpose draws upon the old Colonial role of the militias as defenders of America against foreign invaders generally, and specifically against collectivist forces infiltrating and dominating within the United States. These militia revivals believed in the sanctity of the U.S. Constitution, and that certain groups are conspiring to destroy America. Unlike the Christian Identity groups, the Constitutionalist militias generally resist casting blame on ethnic, racial or religious groups, but rather blame influential individuals or groups of individuals (e.g., the Bilderberg Group
Bilderberg Group
The Bilderberg Group, Bilderberg conference, or Bilderberg Club is an annual, unofficial, invitation-only conference of approximately 120 to 140 guests from North America and Western Europe, most of whom are people of influence. About one-third are from government and politics, and two-thirds from...
, the Trilateral Commission
Trilateral Commission
The Trilateral Commission is a non-governmental, non-partisan discussion group founded by David Rockefeller in July 1973 to foster closer cooperation among the United States, Europe and Japan.-History:...
) who promote globalization; collectively known as the New World Order.
Definition
Conceptually, a citizen's militia has been defined as a constitutionalist private army meeting regularly to practice combat skills and discuss weapons. The militia is defined as a social group with a distinct territory, being anti-governmental in outlook, and having definite opinions regarding use of force to further militia goals. It may have an offensive, paramilitary, and/or defensive orientation depending on circumstances.Operational features include.:
- Training in combat scenarios and weaponry skills in mock actions and maneuvers.
- Has an identifiable territory in which members reside.
- Bases organization philosophies on anti-government rhetoric.
- Development of contingency plans in case of governmental provocation.
Structure
One writer offers a typology of the constitutionalist militia movement that identifies four types- The Open Constitutionalist, with the Cascade Brigade as an example.
- Constitutionalist/Command Structure, with the Alabama Constitutional Militia and the Michigan Militia as examples.
- Constitutionalist/Cell Structure, with the Militia of MontanaMilitia of MontanaThe Militia of Montana is an organized paramilitary organization founded by John Trochmann, a retired maker of snowmobile parts, of Noxon, Montana, USA. The organization formed from the remnants of the United Citizens for Justice in late 1992 in response to the standoff between agents of the...
and the Texas Constitutional Militia as examples. - Underground/ No Public Contact, with the Sons of Liberty (Alabama) as example
However, others view constitutionalism
Constitutionalism
Constitutionalism has a variety of meanings. Most generally, it is "a complex of ideas, attitudes, and patterns of behavior elaborating the principle that the authority of government derives from and is limited by a body of fundamental law"....
as the movement, having a militia wing, rather than a militia movement with a constitutionalist wing.
Controversy
From the inception of the modern movement there has been controversy over whether the movement was an important part of a complete response to many important threats, or a threat in itself. Both protagonists and antagonists have emerged in all parts of society.See also
- ConstitutionalismConstitutionalismConstitutionalism has a variety of meanings. Most generally, it is "a complex of ideas, attitudes, and patterns of behavior elaborating the principle that the authority of government derives from and is limited by a body of fundamental law"....
- MilitiaMilitiaThe term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
- Militia (United States)Militia (United States)The role of militia, also known as military service and duty, in the United States is complex and has transformed over time.Spitzer, Robert J.: The Politics of Gun Control, Page 36. Chatham House Publishers, Inc., 1995. " The term militia can be used to describe any number of groups within the...
- Militia movement (United States)Militia movement (United States)The militia movement is a political movement of paramilitary groups in the United States. Members of the movement typically refer to themselves as militia, "unorganized militia", and "constitutional militia"...
- Michigan MilitiaMichigan MilitiaThe Michigan Militia was an organized paramilitary organization founded by Norman Olson, a former U.S. Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer, of Alanson, Michigan, USA. The organization formed around 1994 in response to perceived encroachments by the Federal Government on the rights of citizens during...
- Ranch RescueRanch RescueRanch Rescue is a volunteer organization that assists ranchers and owners of property near the United States-Mexico border in the protection of their property. The organization claims that the protection is necessary due to damages caused by unauthorized border crossers, which it characterizes as...
- Minuteman Project
- Dissident movements
- American RevolutionAmerican RevolutionThe American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
- Police misconductPolice misconductPolice misconduct refers to inappropriate actions taken by police officers in connection with their official duties. Police misconduct can lead to a miscarriage of justice and sometimes involves discrimination...
- Prosecutorial misconductProsecutorial misconductIn jurisprudence, prosecutorial misconduct is a procedural defense; via which, a defendant may argue that they should not be held criminally liable for actions which may have broken the law, because the prosecution acted in an "inappropriate" or "unfair" manner. Such arguments may involve...
- Judicial misconductJudicial tyrannyThe term judicial tyranny is a political epithet often used to describe the actions of unelected judges whose rulings unlawfully validate or invalidate the policy decisions made by elected officials, unlawfully sustain or overrule enacted statutes or court precedents, or violate a constitution...
- Rump brigadeRump brigadeRump brigades in the United States are voluntary private paramilitary units that operate outside of U.S. Federal or State military command structures...
, voluntary private paramilitary units - American Patriot Party Founded in 2003; Historical constitutional principles and documents.