standing army
military
Quick Summary
A standing army is a permanent military force composed of paid soldiers. This concept emerged in Europe around the mid-15th century, with France under Charles VII being an early adopter. Kings began to employ soldiers permanently to maintain order and fight wars, often funded by taxes that replaced military obligations. This shift from feudal levies to professional soldiers marked a significant development in military organization and state power, laying the groundwork for modern armed forces.12
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