What is the history of the military draft in the USA?

Answer by  patti (29325)

FDR instituted the draft (Selective Service System) during peacetime in 1940. From 1948 until 1973 men were called to military service to shore up lagging voluntary sign-ups. December 1, 1969 was the first lottery since 1942. The draft was done away with in 1973.

Answer by  trucker76 (56)

The draft, or military conscription, has been used in the USA since the Civil War. It was employed during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and during the Vietnam War. Since 1973 the United States has had an all-volunteer army, meaning that there has been no draft, though men are still required to register for selective service.

Answer by  calculator (88)

During the Revolution, states sometimes conscripted citizens, but there was no national draft until the Civil War. Selective Service conscription (even in peacetime) re-began in 1948; drafts ended in 1973.

Answer by  costessey (39)

During the Revolutionary War states drafted men into militia duty. Both sides drafted men in small numbers throughout the Civil War. However it was during both World Wars that they were used in significant numbers. Repeated during Korean and Vietnam Wars. Stopped in 1973. Currently no compulsory draft in place.