Kara Sears
The Selective Service Act of 1917, also known as the Selective Draft Act, was the first draft army law for World War I. Enacted on May 18, 1917, the law authorized the United States federal government to conscript men into military service for the war effort. With the US Army being relatively small compared to the mobilized armies of European powers, conscription was deemed necessary to raise a national army quickly. The Act outlined specific guidelines for registration, including age requirements and exemptions for certain occupations and religious objections. Local and district boards were established to manage the registration and selection process, and multiple registrations were held to expand the pool of potential draftees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Selective Service Act of 1917 or Selective Draft Act |
| Date of Enactment | May 18, 1917 |
| Applicability | All males aged 21 to 30 |
| Amendments | In August 1918, the age range was expanded to include men aged 18 to 45, and volunteering was barred. |
| Conscription | By class, with the first candidates drawn from Class I |
| Registration | Approximately 24,000,000 men registered for the draft (about 23% of the population in 1918) |
| Implementation | The Selective Service System, under the Provost Marshal General, was responsible for selecting men for induction, from registration to delivery to military training camps. |
| Purpose | To raise a national army for service in World War I through conscription |
| Peacetime Draft | The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 was the first peacetime draft in U.S. history |
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What You'll Learn
The Selective Service Act of 1917
The Act was envisioned in December 1916 and proposed to President Woodrow Wilson after the United States entered World War I by declaring war on Germany. Initially, President Wilson wished to rely solely on volunteer troops, but it soon became apparent that this would be insufficient to mobilize a fighting force quickly. Answering the call for volunteers on the first day of the war's declaration, an impressive 73,000 men stepped forward. However, six weeks later, it was clear that relying on volunteers would not align with the intended plans for a rapid deployment to Europe. Wilson, therefore, accepted the recommendation of his Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker, to institute a draft.
During World War I, there were three registration periods. The first, on June 5, 1917, targeted men aged 21 to 30 or 31. The second registration, on June 5, 1918, registered those who turned 21 after the previous cutoff date, with a supplemental registration on August 24, 1918, for those turning 21 after June 5, 1918. The third and final registration, on September 12, 1918, expanded the eligible age range to 18 to 45, in accordance with an amendment passed at the War Department's request.
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World War I Draft Registration Cards
The World War I Draft Registration Cards are held in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. They consist of approximately 24,000,000 cards of men who registered for the draft, representing about 23% of the population in 1918. It is important to note that not all of these men served in the military, and not all men who served in the military registered for the draft. The cards are not military service records, and they do not contain any information about an individual's military service.
During World War I, there were three registrations. The first, on June 5, 1917, was for all men between the ages of 21 and 31 (or 21 and 30, according to the Selective Service Act). The second registration was held on June 5, 1918, for those who had turned 21 after the first registration date. A supplemental registration was held on August 24, 1918, for those who turned 21 after June 5, 1918, and this was included in the second registration. The third registration took place on September 12, 1918, for men aged 18 to 45. This expansion of the age range was at the request of the War Department.
The information included on each registration card differs, but general information includes order and serial numbers (assigned by the Selective Service System), full name, date and place of birth, race, citizenship, occupation, personal description, and signature. Local boards were established for each county or similar subdivision in each state, as well as for each 30,000 persons in each city or county with a population over 30,000. These local boards were responsible for the registration, serial numbers, classification, and entrainment of draftees.
The Selective Service Act of 1917, also known as the Selective Draft Act, authorized the President to temporarily increase the military establishment of the United States. It was passed on May 18, 1917, and enabled the federal government to raise a national army for World War I through conscription. The Act was envisioned in December 1916 and brought to President Woodrow Wilson's attention after the break in relations with Germany in February 1917. The Act was drafted by then-Captain (later Brigadier General) Hugh S. Johnson.
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The Draft and World War II
On September 16, 1940, the United States instituted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, also known as the Selective Service Act. This was the first peacetime draft in US history. The Act required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft, with those selected required to serve at least one year in the armed forces.
The US had previously relied on volunteer troops, but with the fall of France to the Nazis in June 1940, Americans were growing concerned about Great Britain's ability to defeat Germany alone. The US military was unprepared for a global war, and national polls showed a growing majority in favour of instituting a draft. One national survey found that 71% supported "the immediate adoption of compulsory military training for all young men".
The Selective Service Act of 1940 built on the precedent set by the Selective Service Act of 1917, which authorized the US federal government to raise a national army for service in World War I through conscription. During World War I, there were three registrations, with the first on June 5, 1917, for men aged 21 to 30. The age range was later expanded to include men aged 18 to 45. By the end of World War I, around 2.8 million men had been drafted, making up more than half of the American armed forces.
The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. By the end of World War II, over 45 million men between the ages of 18 and 64 had registered for the draft, with 10 million inducted into the military. The draft terms were extended through the duration of the fighting, and the Selective Service System remained an independent agency with a Director responsible to the President.
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Peacetime conscription in the 1950s and 60s
The first peacetime conscription in the United States was instituted through the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, which required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft. This was done in anticipation of the country's eventual involvement in World War II. From 1940 until 1973, during both peacetime and periods of conflict, men were drafted to fill vacancies in the U.S. Armed Forces that could not be met through voluntary means.
The second peacetime draft began with the passage of the Selective Service Act of 1948, which required all men between the ages of 18 and 26 to register. This act also introduced the "Doctor Draft", which aimed to induct health professionals into military service. However, due to the surplus of military manpower after World War II, there was little need for draft calls until President Truman declared a national emergency in December 1950, marking the start of the Korean War.
During the Korean War, over 1.5 million men were inducted through the Selective Service, while another 1.3 million volunteered. The draft continued on a more limited basis during the late 1950s and early 1960s, with a smaller percentage of eligible males being conscripted compared to war periods. Nevertheless, famous figures such as Elvis Presley and Willie Mays were drafted during this time.
In the United Kingdom, National Service was implemented during the post-war years, from 1945 to 1963, impacting 2.5 million young men. While some accepted it willingly, others were reluctant or even resentful. The principle of universal liability for National Service was a double-edged sword, as it supplied more men than were needed and drained resources for training, impacting the economy by taking fit and able young men out of the workforce.
As the 1950s progressed, the negative experiences of those serving their National Service terms began to affect the image of the army and the recruitment of regular soldiers. The absurdities of army life, as reported by those who experienced them, damaged morale and encouraged direct resistance, particularly on college campuses in the mid-1960s.
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The Militia Act of 1862
Prior to the Militia Act of 1862, the Militia Act of 1792 limited military service to "every free able-bodied white male citizen." The new act of 1862 amended this by providing for "the enrolment of... all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five." Notably, the word "white" was omitted from this updated language, marking a significant change in American law and opening the door for African Americans to serve in the Army.
The act also addressed the issue of pay for African American soldiers, which was a controversial aspect of the legislation. While the act allowed African Americans to serve as soldiers and war laborers, it established discrimination in pay. African American soldiers were to receive $10 per month, with a $3 reduction for clothing, resulting in a salary of $7 per month, almost half of what white soldiers received. This pay discrimination was justified by the belief that blacks would primarily serve as military laborers, freeing up whites for combat. However, this aspect of the act was later challenged, and in June 1864, Congress deleted the unequal pay provision, granting equal pay for all black soldiers.
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Frequently asked questions
The Selective Service Act of 1917, also known as the Selective Draft Act, was the first draft army law for World War I. It was enacted on May 18, 1917, and authorized the conscription of men aged 21 to 30, later expanded to 18 to 45.
The Selective Service Act of 1917 was proposed by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker and drafted by then-Captain (later Brigadier General) Hugh S. Johnson.
The first draft registration for World War I took place on June 5, 1917, for men aged 21 to 30 (by some sources, 21 to 31).
Approximately 2.8 million men were drafted during World War I, comprising more than half of the almost 4.8 million Americans who served in the armed forces.
Yes, there were earlier draft laws in the United States, such as the Militia Act of 1792 and the Enrollment Act of 1863, which was the first genuine national conscription law. However, these were not directly related to World War I.
Now, for World War II:
For World War II, the first draft army law was the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, enacted on September 16, 1940. This required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft.
