Lessons Learned: A Comparison of the Uniform Militia Act of 1792 and the Homeland Security Act of 2002

CONTENTS Introduction.............................................................................................. 26 The Uniform Militia Act of 1792 ............................................................. 26 The Homeland Security Act of 2002 ........................................................ 31 Conclusions............................................................................................... 34 References ................................................................................................. 36 Endnotes ................................................................................................... 37

Introduction At the end of the American Revolution, the new government began to debate the most effective means of protecting the nation from domestic and foreign threats, while simultaneously safeguarding the liberal democratic values the nation developed during the rebellion. The solution created by the First Congress was embodied in the Uniform Militia Act of 1792. During the first large-scale, defensive challenge faced by the nation, the War of 1812, the system proved largely inefficient and ineffective.1 Consequently, after nearly three years of war the conflict ended without a conclusive victory, although the U.S. forces were fighting mainly on their home ground and had overwhelming numerical superiority.2