National Guard

(Fr. Hist.) The title given to a force of national militia, first instituted in 1789, and placed on a properly organized foundation in 1791. It was based upon voluntary enlistment, in the ratio of one out of every 20 citizens. Its staff was di olved in 1795, and it was placed under the control of the war dept. After the Restoration, the force was disbanded in 1827; reëstablished in 1830; reconstructed on anew basis in 1851; and in 1871 was finally abolished by decree of the National A embly. [s. 632]