1. General
The term Volksbewafffnung (“arming the populace”) first appeared in the second half of the 18th century; it was highly politicized from the outset. Initially it was informed by the theme of patriotism and hence touched on topical debates of the late Enlightenment (Enlightenment history). The discussion reached its climax around the middle of the 19th century, and in the revolutionary year 1848 (German Revolution [1848/9]) arming the populace deeply influenced the debates in the political c…