Table of Contents
Which Americans were eligible for the draft?
On September 16, 1940, the United States instituted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, which required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft. This was the first peacetime draft in United States’ history.
What group of people refused to fight but could still be drafted?
All conscientious objectors are required to register. Today, all conscientious objectors are required to register with the Selective Service System. A conscientious objector is one who is opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.
Why were so many Americans upset about the draft?
The draft for the Vietnam War brought with it anxiety and anger to many American households. The draft was viewed as unequal because the working class man’s only choice was to go to war, while the wealthy men would go to college or enlist in the National Guard.
What does 4f mean?
and Unfit for Military Service
4-F – Disabled and Unfit for Military Service.
What are the draft classifications?
selective service classifications
- Class I. Class I-A : Available for military service.
- Class II. Class II –A Occupational deferment (other than agricultural or student)
- Class III. Class III –A Extreme hardship deferment, or registrant with a child or children.
- Class IV.
- Class V.
How many times has the US used the draft?
Conscription in the United States, commonly known as the draft, has been employed by the federal government of the United States in six conflicts: the American Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
When did the US stop the military draft?
From late 1975 until 1980, young American men no longer had to register for the draft. In 1980, registration with the Selective Service System was again mandated. While the United States still has the military draft to rely on if a national emergency or war makes this scenario necessary, no American has been drafted since 1972.
How did the military draft affect the Vietnam War?
Recently, Congressman Charles Rangel of New York proposed the idea of reinstituting a draft, a proposal that would bring more harm than good to the United States. During the Vietnam War, the military draft proved to be an extremely divisive issue bringing about vehement opposition and a great deal of resistance.
How many people were drafted during the Civil War?
This time, no substitute draftees were authorized to allow rich men to avoid service. A whopping total of about 24 million American men were registered for the draft, and about 3 million inducted. This time, the draft included African American men, and the government shut down any publications that railed against selective service.
How many people were drafted in World War 2?
During the course of World War II, 49 million American men were registered for the draft and 10 million were eventually drafted. The draft had started as a national lottery and shifted to local control as the war progressed.