Final answer:
The draft, or conscription, was implemented to meet the military personnel needs during wars, resulting in millions of men being inducted into the service. It was necessary due to insufficient volunteer recruitment and the need to maintain vital industries at home. The draft had varied socioeconomic impacts, including creating avenues for wealthier individuals to avoid service.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Draft and its Impact
The draft, also known as conscription, was implemented in the United States due to the need for an expanded military force during times of war. The Selective Service System was created, requiring all men within certain age ranges to register, and was operated by civilian draft boards. The local control of these boards led to inconsistent enforcement and interpretations of service qualifications and deferments. During World War II, with the U.S. military needing millions of men for victory, approximately fifty million registered for the draft and ten million were inducted into service.
Conscription was believed to be necessary to quickly build a sufficient military force and to avoid the haphazard enlistment of volunteers who might be more vital in civilian industry roles. The result was the induction of millions of men into military service, which had varying effects on social dynamics, including the exacerbation of socioeconomic class distinctions. For example, during the Civil War, the ability to hire substitutes in place of serving oneself disproportionately favored the wealthy.
By the end of World War II, twenty-two million men had registered for the draft, five million were drafted, and two million saw combat overseas. War efforts were aided not only by men; twenty thousand women also volunteered, serving as nurses and in clerical roles both domestically and abroad.