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Which groups of people formed many of the early French Foreign Legion recruits?
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French Foreign Legion
Soldiers of the French Foreign Legion in a parade celebrating Bastille Day in Paris.
When the French Foreign Legion was founded in 1831, it served as a destination for various groups of people seeking a new start or employment. Early recruits primarily included:
- Refugees: Many individuals who had crowded into France following political upheavals sought enlistment.1
- Unemployed Soldiers: The ranks were filled by former military personnel, including members of Swiss regiments who had served the Bourbon regime prior to the July Revolution of 1830.1
As the organization developed throughout the 19th century, its recruitment continued to draw from a diverse and often desperate population, including outlaws, political refugees, and those described as cutthroats. By the mid-1800s, the composition of the regiments became somewhat more geographically distinct, with the 2nd Foreign Regiment primarily comprising Mediterranean recruits, while the 1st Foreign Regiment was composed mainly of men from northern regions.1