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Franklin D. Roosevelt and the military draft Russian men drawing lots World War II; draft Draft protest
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Franklin D. Roosevelt and the military draft
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the military draft U.S. Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt watching while the blindfolded secretary of war, Henry L. Stimson, draws the first number in the first peacetime draft lottery in U.S. history, October 29, 1940.

conscription

military service
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Also known as: compulsory military service, draft
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Also called:
draft

conscription, compulsory enrollment for service in a country’s armed forces. It has existed at least from the time of the Egyptian Old Kingdom (27th century bce), but there have been few instances—ancient or modern—of universal conscription (calling all those physically capable between certain ages). The usual form—even during total war—has been selective service. Modified forms of conscription were used by Prussia, Switzerland, Russia, and other European countries during the 17th and 18th centuries. The first comprehensive nationwide system was instituted by the French Republic in the wars following the French Revolution and was institutionalized by Napoleon after he became emperor ...(100 of 1218 words)

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