Much of the manpower for the US war effort in Vietnam came as a result of the draft. A draft is a system by which able-bodied males are forced into military service. The draft became controversial during the Vietnam War. What arguments could be made for the necessity of a draft? What arguments could be made against drafting young men into military service?
Answers
During war, when young men shied away from joining the army for fear of facing life and death situations during combat, the government decided to introduce the system of Draft. This system was necessary when there was a shortage of men to serve in the army, especially during war.
The system became controversial during Vietnam War in which casualties were very high. High rate of deaths and serious disabilities, troubled American homes. Considering this, forcibly recruiting young men to the army was considered cruel and inhuman.
For:
Volunteers alone could not meet the military needs of the war.
All Americans should shoulder the burden of war, not just volunteers.
It is a patriotic duty to serve in the military in times of war.
Against:
Forcing people to fight is morally wrong.
Doves felt that the US was involved in Vietnam for the wrong reasons.
The draft tended to disproportionately affect poor and minority Americans.