Draft as a Deterrent Influence on U.S. Military Interventions

With the growing unpopularity of the war in Iraq, Americans are once again discussing the draft. Congressman Charles Rangel has argued that we need the draft to fill the ranks or force disengagement from Iraq and prevent entry into unnecessary wars. Rangel's idea of the draft as a tool to raise middle class America's awareness of the president's use of the military is not new or unique. The premise of the argument is two-fold. The first aspect is that under the draft, men from all segments of society are placed at risk for military service. The second aspect is that the risk of military service, when placed on the middle class raises their scrutiny of any war. This risk forces a president to be selective when considering military action. This thesis will examine how America practiced conscription, who was inducted under the draft, and what opinions about the draft were held in America in order to determine the impacts of and attitudes toward the draft. This thesis will then analyze the draft in light of the U.S. entry into the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In conclusion, the author will discuss the relevance to the Global War on Terrorism.