In 1794, the Commander-in-Chief himself, President George Washington, “organized a militia force of 12,950 men and led them towards Western Pennsylvania” to put down an insurrection aimed at the new federal liquor tax. Our population in 1800 was 5,308,483 – so about one of every 4,115 Americans was in that militia. Today, with 331 million Americans, that 12,950 number corresponds to over 800,000 defenders against insurrection.
Sources:
Quote: Peter Kotowski, “Whiskey Rebellion,” https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/whiskey-rebellion/ (last accessed Jan. 13, 2021).
1800 census: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1800_United_States_census
The Center for New Revenue 