The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 29 summary
Federalist No. 29 of 85 · 8 min to read the paper
In Federalist No. 29, Hamilton defends national authority over the militia as a means of coordinating defense and reducing reliance on standing armies. He proposes a trained select corps, argues that state appointment of officers protects liberty, and rejects claims that federal leaders could easily use citizen soldiers for oppression.
What happens
- Hamilton argues that national regulation gives the militia consistent organization and training, while states retain officer appointments.
- He says effective militia powers reduce the need for standing armies and do not exclude civilian assistance in enforcing laws.
- He rejects intensive training for everyone as costly and impractical, proposing a moderately sized trained corps instead.
- He argues that citizen ties and state-appointed officers make the militia a safeguard rather than a threat to liberty.
- He dismisses imagined distant deployments for oppression and defends interstate assistance against invasion or rebellion.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of The Federalist Papers, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
In this paper
What to notice
The sentence states his central practical defense of militia authority: a usable citizen force reduces the government's reason to maintain an army.
Quick check
Why does Hamilton oppose intensive training for the entire militia?
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of The Federalist Papers, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
