Before the American Revolution occured, every colony had a militia, except Pennsylvania. Colonies required that men who were in condition owned a weapon, accepted to be go to a periodic training and were willing to defend their home from the attack of any Indian group. They were called the Colonial Milita. The minuteman were a reorganized army which were ready and prepare for war a minute after they were called for war.

The continental army was an invention of the Continental Congress and was commanded by George Washington. Washington found different forces and inmediately he began training them.