Description
The Selective Service Act enacted on May 18, 1917 after America had declared war on Germany and entered into World War I, gave the federal government the power to increase the size of the national army through the compulsory enlistment of men aged 21-30. The law was amended in August 1918 to expand the age range to include all men aged 18 - 45. In this lesson students will look at military drafts used throughout US history, and the evolution of the Selective Service Act from World War I through the end of the Vietnam War.
Procedures
STEP 1.
As a class, view the video clip below and discuss the concepts of conscription and the draft.
Video Clip: Origins of the Selective Service Act (1:18)
STEP 2.
Using the handout below, view the following video clips and have students complete the appropriate section of the chart.
Alternative Jigsaw Option: Have students break into 5 small groups and assign a clip to each group. Have the students complete their assigned section of the chart and present their information to the class.
Handout: Selective Service Chart (Google Doc)
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Video Clip: History of Conscription Prior to the Passage of the Selective Service Act (7:20)
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Video Clip: World War I and the Challenges of Implementing the Selective Service Act (7:38)
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Video Clip: The Evolution of the Selective Service Act ahead of World War II (6:09)
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Video Clip: The Evolution of the Selective Service Act ahead of the Vietnam War (4:49)
- Video Clip: Post-Vietnam and the Move to an All Volunteer Force (10:26)
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STEP 3.
Review and discuss the information on the chart as a class.
STEP 4.
Watch the final video clip as a class.
Video Clip: Women and Modern Day Selective Service Registration (1:07)
As an exit slip, have the students write their response to the following question:
Based on what you learned today, should women be required to register for the draft today? Explain.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:
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Writing Assignment: After viewing all of the clips, how should the U.S. government ensure that the military is fully staffed in both war and peace time? Support your arguments with evidence from the clips.
- A Letter Home: Write a letter home from the perspective of a drafted soldier in one of the wars/time periods discussed in the clips. Include information about how the public perceived war during this time.
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ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENT:
Using all 7 video clips above, have the students individually complete the following guided handout:
Handout: Selective Service Guided Questions (Google Doc)
Additional Resources
Vocabulary
- Abraham Lincoln
- Civil War
- Conscription
- Draft
- Selective Service
- Vietnam War
- Woodrow Wilson
- World War 1
- World War 2