protection against Indians caused the formation of a militia, and in
1665 companies were raised in every parish. The military history of
the Canadian forces under French rule is full of incident, and they
served not only against Indian raiders but also against the troops of
Great Britain and of her North American colonies. Six militia
battalions took part in the defence of Quebec in 1759, and even the
transfer of Canada from the French to the British crown did not cause
the disbandment of the existing forces. The French Canadians
distinguished themselves not less than the British settlers in the War
of American Independence, and in particular in the defence of Quebec
against Montgomery and Arnold. In 1787 an ordinance was made whereby
three battalions of the militia were permanently embodied, each
contingent serving for two years, at the end of which time a fresh
contingent relieved it, and after this a succession of laws and
regulations were made with a view to complete organization of the
force. The brunt of the fighting on the American frontier in the war
of 1812 was borne very largely by the permanent force of three
battalions and the fresh units called out, all these being militia
corps. Up to 1828 a distinction had been made between the British and
the French regiments: this was then abolished. The militia was again
employed on active service during the disturbances of 1837, and the
"Active Militia" in 1863 had grown to a strength of 25,000 men. The
Fenian troubles of 1864 and 1866 caused the embodiment of the Canadian
forces once more. In 1867 took place the unification of Canada, after
which the whole force was completely organized on the basis of a
militia act (1868). A department of Militia and Defence with a
responsible minister was established, and the strength of the active
militia of all arms was fixed at 40,000 rank and file. Two years later
the militia furnished 6000 men to deal with the Fenian Raid of 1870,
and took part in Colonel (Lord) Wolseley's Red River expedition. In
1871 a permanent force, serving the double purpose of a regular
nucleus and an instructional cadre, was organized in two troops of
cavalry, two batteries of artillery and one regiment of infantry, and
in 1876 the Royal Military College of Canada was founded at Kingston.
In 1885 the Riel rebellion was dealt with, and the important action of
Batoche won, by the militia, without assistance from regular troops.
In the same year Canada contributed a force of _voyageurs_ to the Nile
expedition of Lord Wolseley; the experience of these men was
admittedly of great assistance in navigating the Rapids. The militia
sent contingents of all arms to serve in the South African War,
1899-1902, including "Strathcona's Horse," a special corps, recruited
almost entirely from the Active Militia and the North-west Mounted
Police. The latter, a permanent constabulary of mounted riflemen, was
formed in 1873.
After the South African War an extensive scheme of reorganization was
taken in hand, the command being exercised for two years (1902-1904)
by Major-General Lord Dundonald, and subsequently by a militia council
(Militia Act 1904), similar in constitution to the home Army Council.
For details of the present military strength of Canada, see the
article CANADA.
AUSTRIAN ARMY