Question

The speaker notes that when his family left the country, the militia came to their home and took inventory of their household. why did they do that? what was the family left with?

Answer 1

Militias took inventory of households to control resources during conflicts, leaving families with little more than cash, jewelry, and clothes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The militia took inventory of the household when the speaker's family left the country as a measure to control resources and assets during periods of social unrest or military campaigns. This was often part of a larger strategy to deny resources to the enemy or to secure them for the militia's use.

In historical scenarios where taxes such as the whiskey tax were being enforced and met with opposition, local militias could use such inventory checks to both suppress dissent and finance their resistance.

The family in this situation was left with the bare essentials, which typically included cash, jewelry, and a change of clothes. This suggests a hurried and desperate departure under duress, in which the militia allowed only a minimal level of personal belongings to be taken. The emotional impact on the family, and the loss of their home and possessions, emphasizes the severe nature of the situation they faced.

Answer 2

The militia took inventory of the family's household to assess their possessions and resources. The family was left with essential items when they left the country.

Step-by-step explanation:

The militia took inventory of the family's household when they left the country for their own defense.

This was likely done to assess the family's possessions and resources that could be useful for the militia or to prevent looting and theft while the family was away.

When the family left, they were likely left with only essential items such as cash, jewelry, and a change of clothes.