Levee en masse

The "Levee en masse" was a revolutionary French policy introduced in 1793 during the French Revolution. It mandated the mass conscription of all able-bodied citizens to defend the nation against external and internal threats. This draft program transformed military service from a selective to a universal obligation, involving men of all ages and social classes. It aimed to mobilize the entire population for war effort, reflecting the revolutionary ideals of equality and national unity. The policy significantly expanded the size of the French army and demonstrated the shift toward using the entire society as a resource during wartime.