The Draft

English 11A

19 April 2010

The Draft: Decimating American's View on War and Government

Conscription was officially instituted during the Civil War. Draft protests quickly broke out causing riots and police involvement. Although there was limited controversy many years to follow until the Vietnam War, when Americans refused to be part of a war they didn't believe in (Davey). The Draft forced Americans to catechize their own government and involvement in war. The protests, visible drafting discrimination and media involvement all influenced Americans to question the validation of the draft.

Thousands of Americans disputed the United States draft and many of these people eagerly participated in protests. The abolishing of college deferments in 1969 that freed many college students from conscription and serving in Vietnam was a reason protesting began (“Vietnam War Protestors”). Others protested the draft because they didn't believe in the war and felt they should not be forced to participate in a war that they did not support (Poe). Most protests were peaceful. These protests included burning draft cards, escaping to Canada to avoid the draft, rallies/marches, also just staying in college to bypass the draft. Although the majority of protests were peaceful some peaceful protests turned violent (“Vietnam War Protestors”).

A nineteen year old from Massachusetts named David O'Brien publicly protested in March of 1966. He had burned his draft card on the steps of the South Boston courthouse. He was soon arrested and his case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court. During his trial he told the jury that his actions were of “symbolic speech” and wanted others to “re-evaluate their position with Selective Service with the armed forces and re-evaluate their place in the culture of today”. David O'Brien served two months in prison. In 1968 the federal law made it a crime to burn or destroy a draft card (Davey).

Protesting occurred during the Vietnam War...