Minutemen (anti-Communist organization)

The Minutemen were a far-right, anti-communist paramilitary organization active in the United States primarily during the 1960s. Founded in 1961 by Robert DePugh, the group espoused a staunch anti-communist ideology, believing that the United States was vulnerable to internal subversion and external invasion by communist forces.

The Minutemen advocated for armed readiness and engaged in paramilitary training exercises. They stockpiled weapons and explosives, and prepared for what they believed was an inevitable communist takeover. Their activities often involved clandestine operations and surveillance of suspected communist sympathizers.

The organization's membership peaked in the mid-1960s, although estimates vary. They attracted a diverse range of individuals, including veterans, survivalists, and those with strong anti-government sentiments.

The Minutemen's activities and ideology were controversial, and they faced legal challenges and public criticism. Several members were arrested and prosecuted for weapons violations and other offenses. By the late 1960s, the organization's influence and activity began to decline, partly due to internal divisions, legal pressure, and the waning of Cold War anxieties. While the original Minutemen organization faded, their name and some of their core ideas have been adopted by later groups focusing on different issues, most notably immigration. The original Minutemen are considered an important example of right-wing extremism in the Cold War era.