In 1965, as the United States became more involved in the Vietnam War, President Johnson decided that more soldiers were needed. This led to the introduction of conscription, or the draft, which meant that young men who hadn’t thought about joining the military suddenly faced the possibility of being sent to fight in Vietnam.
During the Vietnam War, about two-thirds of American soldiers volunteered, while the remaining third were drafted. All men aged 18 to 26 had to register with the Selective Service System. Their names were kept on record, and local draft boards, often made up of veterans, would decide who would be drafted. These decisions were sometimes seen as unfair, as many of those chosen came from poorer backgrounds, communities of color, and rural areas. Middle-class men were often deferred because they were seen as having promising futures, and upper-class individuals were rarely drafted.
There were several ways to avoid being drafted. Men who were medically unfit, married with children, or enrolled in college could receive deferments. College deferments allowed men to avoid the draft until they turned 26, and few men over 26 were drafted, letting them escape military service altogether.
Some men resisted the draft by refusing to report to their local board or fleeing to Canada, risking imprisonment. Initially, these draft resisters were seen as cowards, but as the war dragged on and opposition grew, they gained more public sympathy.
In late 1969, to address public dissatisfaction, the draft system was changed to a lottery. This involved 366 blue plastic capsules, each containing a birthdate, being placed in a large glass container. The dates were drawn one by one on national television, and young men born between 1944 and 1950 watched anxiously. The first date drawn was September 14, and men with that birthday received a lottery number. Those with lower numbers were called first to report to induction centers and could be sent to Vietnam.
The last lottery drawing was on February 2, 1972, determining who would have been drafted in 1973. However, President Nixon later moved to an all-volunteer military, effectively ending the draft during the Vietnam War.
The Vietnam War draft was a significant part of American history, affecting many young men and their families. It highlighted issues of fairness and class, and its legacy continues to influence discussions about military service today.
Research the Vietnam War draft and its impact on American society. Focus on how the draft affected different social classes and communities. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting key points and any surprising facts you discovered.
Participate in a class debate on the fairness of the Vietnam War draft. Divide into two groups: one supporting the draft as a necessary measure and the other opposing it due to its perceived inequalities. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments.
Engage in a simulation of the draft lottery. Each student will draw a number representing a birthdate. Discuss how it feels to be randomly selected and the implications it had on young men during the Vietnam War. Reflect on how this system compares to modern military recruitment practices.
Write a fictional letter from the perspective of a young man who has been drafted. Describe your feelings, concerns, and hopes as you prepare to leave for Vietnam. Share your letter with the class and discuss the emotional impact of the draft on individuals and families.
Conduct an interview with a family member or community member who lived through the Vietnam War era. Ask about their experiences and opinions on the draft. Present your findings to the class, highlighting personal stories and insights into the societal impact of the draft.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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The need for more manpower during America’s deeper involvement in the Vietnam War in 1965 led President Johnson to implement conscription. Young men who had not previously considered military service began to think about the possibility of being drafted to fight in the Vietnam conflict.
While two-thirds of Americans volunteered during the Vietnam War, the remaining third were drafted. All males aged 18 to 26 were required to register for the draft, and their names were recorded by the Selective Service System. When called by the local draft board, which was often composed of veterans, individuals were evaluated to determine if they would be drafted into the military. The decisions made by local boards were frequently viewed as unfair, as many of the men chosen came from poor and working-class backgrounds, as well as communities of color and rural areas. Draft boards often deferred middle-class men, whom they perceived as having valuable futures, while upper-class individuals were rarely drafted.
There were several ways for draftees to be deferred or exempted from the draft. For instance, men who were medically unfit, married with children, or enrolled in college could qualify for deferments. Those who had college deferments could remain eligible for induction until the age of 35, but few men between the ages of 26 and 35 were ever drafted, allowing them to maintain their deferments until their 26th birthday and avoid service altogether.
Some draft resisters faced imprisonment for refusing to fight in the war. They broke the law by not reporting to their local board or by fleeing to Canada. Initially viewed as cowards, those opposed to the draft gained more public sympathy as the war continued and opposition grew.
In late 1969, the draft process was revised to address public discontent, leading to the creation of a draft lottery. This involved 366 blue plastic capsules, each containing a birthdate from the year, being placed into a large glass container. The capsules were drawn and announced one by one, with young men born between 1944 and 1950 watching nervously on national television. The first date announced was September 14, and all registrants with that birthday received a lottery number. Men with lower numbers were called first and had to report to induction centers, where they could be sent to the Vietnam War.
The fourth and final lottery drawing took place on February 2, 1972, determining those who would have been called for induction in 1973. However, President Nixon later shifted to an all-volunteer force, effectively ending the draft during the Vietnam War.
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This version maintains the essential information while removing any inappropriate or sensitive language.
Draft – A system for selecting individuals for compulsory military service – During the Vietnam War, many young men were concerned about being called up through the draft.
Vietnam – A Southeast Asian country that was the site of a prolonged conflict involving the United States from 1955 to 1975 – The Vietnam War had a significant impact on American society and politics during the 1960s and 1970s.
Soldiers – Individuals who serve in an army – Many soldiers who fought in Vietnam faced difficult conditions and complex challenges during their deployment.
Conscription – The mandatory enlistment of individuals into the armed forces – Conscription was a controversial issue during the Vietnam War, leading to widespread protests and debates about its morality and necessity.
Deferments – Official postponements of military service, often granted for educational or medical reasons – Some college students received deferments during the Vietnam War, allowing them to delay their military service.
Resistance – The refusal to accept or comply with something, often in the form of protest or opposition – The anti-war movement in the United States was characterized by widespread resistance to the Vietnam War and the draft.
Lottery – A system used to randomly select individuals for military service – The draft lottery introduced during the Vietnam War aimed to make the conscription process more equitable.
Service – The act of serving in the military – Many young Americans were called to service during the Vietnam War, altering their lives and futures.
Fairness – The quality of making judgments that are free from discrimination – The fairness of the draft system was questioned, as some believed it disproportionately affected certain groups.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs – Understanding the history of the Vietnam War is crucial for comprehending its impact on both American and Vietnamese societies.
