A Volunteer Military or a Draft? - Izzit.org

Critical Choices: A Volunteer Military or a Draft?Key TermsCompulsory – requiredConscription or draft – compulsory enrollment in the armed forcesMercenary – a professional soldier hired for service in a foreign army; motivated solely by a desirefor monetary or material gainPropaganda – official government communications to the public that are designed to influenceopinion in a systematic, large scale manner; the information may be true or false, but it is alwayscarefully selected for its political effectWar of attrition / attrition warfare – a strategic concept which states that to win a war, one’senemy must be driven to the point of collapse by continuous losses in personnel and material; thewar will usually be won by the side with greater resources2

Name:Date:Critical Choices: A Volunteer Military or a Draft?Viewing Guide – Page 11. In what ancient civilization were people not considered full citizens unless they were willing toparticipate in the nation’s defense?2. Unlike many European countries in the 19 th century, the United States did not have a conscriptarmy. What war was the major exception?3. Contrary to popular belief, there were actually an estimated _______________ thousandAmerican draft evaders during WWI.4. Which new industry was used by America’s leaders to distribute propaganda widely to thepublic during WWI?5. What new name was given to the military draft?6. Woodrow Wilson claimed that the country had volunteered for WWI “en masse” (all together,as a whole). Was this true?7. The U.S. sent 16 million men into WWII. Were the majority volunteers or draftees?8. What percentage of U.S. production was diverted to war needs during WWII?9. The draft became a focal point for resistance to which war in the 1960s?3

Viewing Guide – Page 210. Which Presidential candidate’s campaign supported ending the draft?11. Who was the controversial professor of economics who had been calling for an all-volunteerarmy for years?12. What did Milton Friedman say about the use of compulsion in our society?13. For what purpose did President Nixon establish the Gates Commission?14. What term did General Westmoreland use to describe army volunteers (a term that MiltonFriedman strongly objected to)?15. Milton Friedman compared an army of draftees to what?16. When did the draft end?17. What did the military do to attract new, voluntary recruits?18. According to Professor Kennedy, what is the principal worry about an all-volunteer force?4

Critical Choices: A Volunteer Military or a Draft?Discussion Questions1. According to ancient ideas of citizenship, citizenship was tied to service in the military. Isthere any connection between military service and citizenship in America today? Should therebe?2. Does past military service help or hurt a candidate running for political office in Americatoday? Should it? Why or why not?3. In what ways was WWII the end of an era in the history of warfare?4. How did opposition to the draft influence the 1968 Presidential campaign?5. What were Milton Friedman’s views on military conscription? Do you agree or disagree?Why?6. When the draft ended, the military suddenly had to compete with every other employer to fillits ranks. How did the army adapt?7. Why do some people believe that having a draft system would make it more difficult fornational leaders to take the nation into a war? Is this a good reason for having a draft system?8. Others argue that it is easier for national leaders to continue involvement in a bad war with adraft system. Explain.9. Do you agree or disagree with the statement that the government’s power to command citizensto serve in the military is only legitimate in times of dire necessity or threat to the nation?Why?10. In America, how fundamental is the individual’s right to choose? Should each individual beable to make his own decision as to whether to join the military?11. Does every able-bodied male have a responsibility to defend the country? What about women?12. Does the all-volunteer military allow the army to be more selective than it could be with adraft? Do you think volunteers are typically more qualified than draftees, or less qualified?13. If America had a draft system, would that have changed any of the decisions America madeabout military action after the terrorist attacks against America on 9/11?14. If military recruitment falls short of military needs, what should we do as a nation to attract theneeded recruits?15. Does a draft make it harder or easier to go to war? Why?5

Quiz – Page 29. Which of the following was the last war in which military conscription was used?A) World War I C) Vietnam WarB) World War II D) Iraq War10. Why does the military like an all-volunteer force?A) They like the challenge of recruiting. C) They get more soldiers.B) They get to recruit more selectively. D) They don’t have to admit women or minorities.EssayAccording to Professor Kennedy, what is the principal worry about an all-volunteer force?7

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