Draft
The draft, also known as conscription, is a system of compulsory enlistment in armed forces, with a history that spans back to ancient civilizations, including the Egyptian Old Kingdom. Typically implemented on a selective basis rather than universally, the draft has evolved through different cultures and conflicts. Notably, the first nationwide draft occurred in France during the Napoleonic Wars, while Prussia developed a conscription system that not only supplied active duty troops but also trained reserves. Throughout the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II, drafts were common on both sides, primarily aimed at increasing volunteer numbers. However, the introduction of complex military technologies and a shift towards professional armies post-1945 has diminished the reliance on drafts. The Vietnam War era saw a controversial draft system in the U.S. that faced criticism for its perceived unfairness and ineffectiveness in generating appropriate forces for the conflict. Overall, the draft reflects changing military needs and societal attitudes towards warfare and service.
Subject Terms
Draft
Also called conscription, the draft entails compulsory enlistment in an armed force. Although the draft dates to the Egyptian Old Kingdom (twenty-seventh century b.c.e.), it has rarely been used to place entire populations in arms. Indeed, conscription has usually been carried out on a selective basis. An example of a nominal exception is the system of universal military service introduced in France in 1872; persons of means, however, could easily evade service.
The first truly nationwide draft was introduced in France during the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815). In the same period, the Prussians developed a system of conscription that not only raised troops for active duty, but also trained a large body of reserves. The Russian system was cruder: Unfortunate peasants were physically seized and forced into a lifetime of service (reduced to fifteen years in 1860). During the American Civil War (1861–1865), the draft was used by both the North and the South, but mainly served to induce volunteering. The draft was common to both sides during World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945). Since 1945, however, complex military technology and low-intensity warfare have placed increasing importance on professional armies. The U.S. draft system during the Vietnam War (1961–1975)—one in which selection was based on such factors as education, occupation, and marital status—failed because of its unpopularity as an unfair system and because of its inability to produce a force suited to warfare on the harsh battlefield of Indochina.