World_War_I Conscription_in_the_United_States

a world war era draft card.

in 1917 administration of president woodrow wilson decided rely on conscription, rather voluntary enlistment, raise military manpower world war when 73,000 volunteers enlisted out of initial 1 million target in first 6 weeks of war. 1 claimed motivation head off former president, theodore roosevelt, proposed raise volunteer division, upstage wilson. however, there no evidence roosevelt had popularity overcome unpopular war, also, since wilson had started second term in office former president s prospects substantial political gain seem dubious.

the selective service act of 1917 drawn remedy defects in civil war system and—by allowing exemptions dependency, essential occupations, , religious scruples—to place each man in proper niche in national war effort. act established liability military service of male citizens ; authorized selective draft of between 21 , 31 years of age (later 18 45); , prohibited forms of bounties, substitutions, or purchase of exemptions. administration entrusted local boards composed of leading civilians in each community. these boards issued draft calls in order of numbers drawn in national lottery , determined exemptions.

in 1917 10 million men registered. deemed inadequate, age ranges increased , exemptions reduced, , end of 1918 increased 24 million men registered 3 million inducted military services, little of resistance characterized civil war, huge campaign government build support war, , shut down newspapers , magazines published articles against war.

secretary of war newton baker draws first draft number on july 20, 1917.

the draft universal , included blacks on same terms whites, although served in different units. in 367,710 black americans drafted (13.0% of total), compared 2,442,586 white (86.9%). along general opposition american involvement in foreign conflict, southern farmers objected unfair conscription practices exempted members of upper class , industrial workers.

draft boards localized , based decisions on social class: poorest conscripted because considered expendable @ home. african-americans in particular disproportionately drafted, though conscripted laborers , not sent combat avoid tensions arise mixing races in military units. forms of resistance ranged peaceful protest violent demonstrations , humble letter-writing campaigns asking mercy radical newspapers demanding reform. common tactics dodging , desertion, , many communities sheltered , defended draft dodgers political heroes.

nearly half million immigrants drafted, forced military develop training procedures took ethnic differences account. military leaders invited progressive reformers , ethnic group leaders assist in formulating new military policies. military attempted socialize , americanize young immigrant recruits, not forcing angloconformity , showing remarkable sensitivity , respect ethnic values , traditions , concern morale of immigrant troops. sports activities, keeping immigrant groups together, newspapers in various languages, assistance of bilingual officers, , ethnic entertainment programs employed.

opposition

blessed peacemakers george bellows, masses, 1917

the conscription act of 1917 passed in june. conscripts court-martialed army if refused wear uniforms, bear arms, perform basic duties, or submit military authority. convicted objectors given long sentences of 20 years in fort leavenworth. in 1918 secretary baker created board of inquiry question conscientious objectors sincerity. military tribunals tried men found board insincere variety of offenses, sentencing 17 death, 142 life imprisonment, , 345 penal labor camps.

in 1917, number of radicals , anarchists, including emma goldman, challenged new draft law in federal court, arguing direct violation of thirteenth amendment s prohibition against slavery , involuntary servitude. supreme court unanimously upheld constitutionality of draft act in selective draft law cases on january 7, 1918. decision said constitution gave congress power declare war , raise , support armies. court, relying partly on vattel s law of nations, emphasized principle of reciprocal rights , duties of citizens:

it may not doubted conception of government , duty citizen includes reciprocal obligation of citizen render military service in case of need, , right compel it. more state proposition absolutely unnecessary in view of practical illustration afforded universal legislation effect in force.

conscription unpopular left-wing sectors @ start, many socialists jailed obstructing recruitment or enlistment service . famous eugene debs, head of socialist party of america, ran president in 1920 atlanta prison cell. had sentence commuted time served , released on december 25, 1921, president warren g. harding.

the industrial workers of world mobilized obstruct war effort through strikes in war-related industries , not registering.

conscientious objectors

conscientious objector (co) exemptions allowed amish, mennonites, quakers, , church of brethren only. other religious , political objectors forced participate. 64,700 men claimed conscientious objector status; local draft boards certified 57,000, of whom 30,000 passed physical , 21,000 inducted u.s. army. 80% of 21,000 decided abandon objection , take arms, 3,989 drafted objectors refused serve. belonged historically pacifist denominations, quakers, mennonites, , moravian brethren, few seventh-day adventists , jehovah s witnesses. 15% religious objectors non-pacifist churches.

ben salmon nationally known political activist encouraged men not register , refused comply draft procedures. rejected army review board proposal noncombatant farm work. sentenced 25 years in prison, again refused proposed desk job. pardoned , released in november 1920 dishonorable discharge .