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The National Militia (Spanish: milicia nacional) in Spain was a citizen-organized quasi-military force comparable to the National Guard that arose in France during the French Revolution.
Spain's National Militia has its origin in the civic military defense groups formed in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), but came to full fruition during the Peninsular War (1808–1814), which is viewed in Spain as a war of independence against Napoleonic France. The Spanish army had been destroyed, but new forces were established at the municipal and provincial level, who fought against both France and against certain remnants of feudalism that remained in Spain.
It was repeatedly dissolved and restored throughout the 19th century.