The Citizen Soldier

In 1775, during the Battles of Lexington and Concord, ordinary colonists took up arms against the British Army, driven by a sense of duty. George Washington faced the challenge of transforming these citizen soldiers into a competent force, despite concerns about a professional army's potential threat to government. Issues like short enlistment periods and lack of pay further complicated his efforts. Despite these hurdles, Washington's army played a crucial role in winning the Revolutionary War and securing US independence. The legacy of these citizen soldiers continues in the tradition of American volunteerism.

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