In the United States, military conscription, commonly known as "the draft", has been employed by the U.S. federal government in six conflicts: the American Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, W
Young men registering for conscription during World War I in New York City, in June 1917
An illustration of rioters attacking a building during the New York anti-draft riots of 1863 in the middle of the American Civil War
1862 Northern cartoon mocking Confederate conscription
A World War I-era draft card belonging to writer Stoddard King
Vietnam War draft
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The Vietnam War Draft was a military draft implemented under the Selective Service System, drafting over 1.7 million men to serve in the Vietnam War. During the peacetime years before the Vietnam War,
Conscription in the United States
…However most boards allowed Peace Corps Volunteers to complete their two-year assignment before inducting them into the military. On December 1, 1969, a lottery was held to establish a draft priority for all those born between 1944 and 1950. Those with a high number no longer had to be concerned about the draft…
A Vietnam War-era draft card. Retention of the card was legally required.
Representative Alexander Pirnie (R-NY) drawing the first number
The 1972 draft lottery being conducted by Curtis W. Tarr