Why did Americans founders fear a standing army and frequent wars?

Answer 1

The Framers of the Constitution, and Americans in generally, feared a standing army because the lesson of history up to that point taught that the formation and use of a standing army marked an inevitable march toward tyranny. In those days, the military was not civilian-ruled, and even it was, in most countries the army (through force and arms) could easily disobey and conquer any political or civilian force. Even in America, General Washington's army sought to defy the Continental Congress and make Washington king, so as to get their wages and provisions, which the Congress was denying them. Washington refused to crowm, understanding that the army must be subservient to the Congress. Washington even bowed before Congress when he relinqueshed his office. In addition to seemingly inevitable military coups, Americans feared standing armies because they were unquestionably loyal to the federal government and would easily trounce over the right of individuals residing in whatever state. The Constitution deliberately made the federal government one of limited and unenumerated powers. Many checks on the federal government prevented it from passing unwanted or tyrannical laws of individuals. Grand juries could refuse to indict, juries could acquit, judges could dismiss cases or utilize habeas corpus, etc. All of these mechanisms preserved the power of The People against federal tyranny. But all of these mechanisms would be altogether useless if a standing army - one funded and controlled by the federal governemnt - could simple march into a state and local town and force the citizens to obey whatever law the federal governenment (whether or not Constitutional) passed. Also, the army could enforce it own arbitrary laws or will over The People. In order to prevent this form of tyranny, the Framers limited the funding and existence of a Standing Army, and ensured the existence of State militias made up by the local armed people (the Second Amendment).