Red Guards refer to socialist or communist militia formed to instigate, support, or defend communist revolutions. Historically, they have consisted of armed workers as well as defectors, mutineers or decommissioned soldiers from the state's military.

• Red Guards (Finland), during the Finnish Civil War.
• Red Guards (Russia), during the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Russian Civil War.
• Red Guards (Bavaria), in the Bavarian Soviet Republic.
• Red Guards (Hungary), in the Hungarian Soviet Republic (1918-1919)

The Red Guards in China were a rather different case, being largely composed of students, and being formed under an established communist state to advance the interests of one faction of Communist Party of China against other factions, during the period of conflict known as the Cultural Revolution.

Other Uses

• The fictional Emperor's Royal Guard, elite Imperial corps of the Star Wars universe, are also sometimes referred as "Red Guards".
• The fictional race in the popular Elder Scrolls game series.

Communism

Den Røde Garde | Czerwona Gwardia