In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln was forced to begin drafting. Many people complained that it was unconstitutional. This was the first mandatory military recruitment in U.S history. There has been two more drafts since Lincoln had the first one in 1863. The argument most people have about drafting is, “if it is right?” There are many pros and cons of having a draft, how the military would go about drafting people, and how it will affect the families of those who are drafted. The first ever draft was held in the Civil War. The South was the first to hold a draft in 1862. The men were required three years of service and had to be between the ages of 18 and 35. Later on in the war, the age limit was raised between the ages of 17 to 50. In many states such as Missouri and Iowa, the threat of drafting was used to help speed up volunteering. However, in 1862 the Militia Act gave authority to the …show more content…
It may also make us more apposing. Most countries would not want to go to war with an army of 300 million plus. That would help us get out of wars like we are in with smaller countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. The draft would upgrade the quality of the U.S military recruitments (Military Conscription, Recruiting and the Draft). It would give the military access to all the youth between the ages of 20 and 25. Instead of having kids out of high school, who do not do anything and do not plan on going to college, they can join the military for a few years and can help the U.S out. It will make our military more youthful. More than a third of the new military recruitments fail to complete their enlistments (Military Conscription, Recruiting and the Draft). Have more military personnel would allow those who serve in the military to have shorter terms. If military had more people in it would could allow those who enlist to have two-year obligations compared to
The United States should not bring back mandatory military service, also known as “the draft”. I personally am not supportive of the draft due to many issues including health and mental concerns brought about by the war. These concerns include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, and Substance Abuse, just to name a few. I also feel that the education of the soldiers would be limited because after age 18, most people go to college. Age 18 is also the age males must enlist for the draft. If I were forced into the Army due to a draft, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to live life to the fullest. For instance, if a soldier was severely injured, the injury would affect the way that person would of live the rest of their life. The injury could even potentially cut the person’s life short. The mental health, physical health, education, and life in general should be taken into consideration before the United States sends young men and women out to war. These diseases are very harmful and we should think about others not just ourselves.
Canada is a prime example of a nation harmed by conscription. In its past, has had two separate conscription crises during each world war. More harm was caused during world war one known as the “Canadian Conscription Crisis”. As presented in the facts that correlate with the economic effects. Workers were forced to leave their jobs to serve in the Canadian armed forces as it was estimated that approximately 4000 farms were left unworked due to the draft (Twatio). If the United States were to implement a draft today, it would be possible for a situation very similar to that of the Canadian Conscription Crisis to occur. It is common sense that the United States today has an extremely large working class. In the hypothetical scenario that jobs are beginning to be left unworked, the nation would arrive under the same effects. Canada has a much smaller economy than the United States does today. It took Canada over a decade to recover from their first conscription crisis
“I think we ought to have a draft. I think if a nation goes to war, it shouldn't be represented by a professional force because it gets to be unrepresentative of the population . . . .” (Fayette, par. 2). Those are the words of General Stanley McChrystal, the former senior commander of international forces in Afghanistan, speaking of his stance on whether the United States should bring back the draft. The American public has become disconnected from the military. The time has come to do something about this; it is time to reinstate the draft. There are three reasons why the draft should be reinstated. The costs of military personnel have soared in recent years, it would make elected officials think twice before sending troops overseas since there will be a larger pool of draftees it would create a melting pot of backgrounds. Although there are those who condemn the draft, they miss the point entirely. Without question, the draft should be reinstated immediately.
In today’s time and age a person volunteers to join any branch in the United States military. Draft is still around but ever since the Vietnam times no branch has had to draft any man or woman. Even back in the draft days they became available for drafting once they turned 18. Because they are fresh out of high school at this age is a key factor in the decision, meaning they are ready to face the next chapter in their lives that life threw at them.
Having young men or even women drafted in the military would benefit everyone. The soldiers would benefit from gaining the knowledge and on-the-job training for a career when they get out and the militaries would not be suffering from the shortage of troops as they are today. It is a win-win situation!
The draft started on April 16, 1862 for the Confederate States during the Civil War. The Union then conducted their own draft on March 3, 1863. The Northern 1862 draft was an attempt to let states handle their own conscriptions, instead of the old volunteer militia. The next draft took place on September 16, 1940 for World War I and remained in effect continuously until 1973. The president, Woodrow Wilson, decided that “A draft was needed and nearly 3,000,000 soldiers were drafted following the Service Act of 1917.” (Understanding the U.S. Military Draft History 1). The reasoning behind President Wilson calling for the draft is because “Before the draft only 73,000 soldiers volunteered during the first 6 weeks of World War I” (Understanding the U.S. Military Draft History 1). Before July of 1973 “The draft was in effect continuously from 1940 to 1973” (Smith 1). This means that more than 10,000,000 men were drafted and sent off into battle throughout the past wars.
I do believe there should be a draft for the war on terrorism. I know we are keeping soldiers over in the Middle East too long just because there are not enough American troops to rotate and send them back home. If we were to reinstate the military draft, then our troops that are dying because they are tired and fatigued would come home and there would be fresh new soldiers that are ready to fight for
When draftees are tested only eighty percent score average or above average while 99 percent of volunteers scored average or above on the standardized military test (Jehn, 2). Recruits score higher on enlistment tests when an all-volunteer force is used. Also, not all people have the personality it takes to serve in the military. Some people are meant to do other jobs like and teaching and farming. The US will also have a shortage of expertise if a draft is put into place. When an all-volunteer military is in place, the military is able to obtain workers that specialize in specific areas such as medicine and military strategists. With a drafted force, soldiers come to the base, the soldiers are trained, the soldiers fight, and then they are honorably discharged. While an all-volunteer force is in place, soldiers must stay for the required time they need to serve due to requirements of that branch of the military. While soldiers are serving this period of time, they are able to specialize in a field. The US should have an all-volunteer military because people that are volunteering have a better knowledge than a draftee that has never considered the military. Previous studies show that volunteer soldiers out perform drafted
Right now America is changing in many different ways. Many people in the country have strong feelings towards the military, and the possibility of being drafted. If everyone was drafted into the military for two years after he or she graduates, it would have a huge impact on the people of this country. The draft would help control the growing population, that is causing major problems in the country; while the the men and women are away in the military; there is two years that they will not be
As Ken Adachi, the editor of ?Educate Yourself,? reports, a new draft will include BOTH men and women. While at various points in history the United States military has operated effectively and efficiently with the draft, reinstating the draft would contradict the ideals of
When looking at the whole picture, and deciding the pro’s and con’s of the military draft I have one final are for you to look at. Currently our armed forces are voluntary and do not accurately represent the American population. With the ideal draft system in place, it will allow for individuals from all aspects of society to represent and provide their service to our country. Along with proper representation, the military cost would be lowered. Although the armed forces would have to pay individuals more and the additional cost of food, equipment, and other essential needs would go up the, the cost of recruiting, advertising and additional benefits to lure persons into the recruiting
The draft selection began on Saturday July 11 1863. But it wasn’t till Monday July 13 that people started rioting. The riots lasted for 5 days, at first they only attacked government buildings. The Civil War Draft Riots took place in 1863, the U.S needed people to fight in the War so they did a draft. The rich could buy their way out with $300(around $5,500 in modern day money). People were enraged and chaos broke out threw the city, for a few days they destroyed New York, people were killed, and people used African Americans as a scape goat.
“Should the United State of America adopt the idea that every American citizen should serve at least 2 years in the military?”, in my opinion, this is a terrible idea. America is “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”. Going into the military should be a personal choice.What would this benefit anyways? This is, in my opinion, a bad idea, this would change the course of America’s history as we know it.
Throughout human history, war has permeated the lives of billions of people. From early conflicts such as conquests to control vast swaths of land by Alexander the Great and Cyrus the Great to modern, global wars such as the World Wars, the concept of war has been at the forefront of humanity’s mind for centuries. However, in recent years, opposition to war and lack of participation in the military has become a common theme in many countries, including the United States. To help alleviate the troubles caused by lack of participation, the United States instituted a law allowing for the conscription of its citizens. Conscription, which can also be referred to as a draft, is defined as the compulsory drafting of citizens into military service (What). The Draft has been utilized throughout US History in a couple of prominent wars; however, opposition has manifested against the Vietnam War and the draft, rightfully stemming from ethical opposition to the war and hatred for what the war and the draft stood for.
The manifest function or intending effect of this change was to allow for our military to expand and cause an increase in enrollment. A larger military would result in better protection for not only our country but other countries that we have alliances with. In addition, the increase in size would cause an increased fear/respect of the American military around the world. The latent function or unintended effect of this change would be an arms race among adversarial countries. It is possible that this arms race could ultimately lead to war. Economically, there will be an increase in profits for the defense industries.