Final answer:
Working-class men, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, were among the groups that opposed the draft during the Vietnam War due to economic inequality and limited exemption/deferment options. The Civil War draft was also opposed by various groups, with wealthier men able to avoid service legally, while African Americans were initially exempt.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among groups opposed to the draft during the Vietnam War, working-class men emerged as one of the key demographics who experienced disproportionate levels of conscription compared to other social groups. Due to systemic inequalities, draft deferments and exemptions often favored middle-class youth, including college deferments for those who could afford higher education and exemptions for certain occupations. This left many lower-income individuals, including white workers and minorities, to bear the brunt of the draft. Economic disparities played a major role in the level of draft opposition among different social groups during the war period.
During the Civil War, there was also discontent with the draft among various social groups due to the Enrollment Act, where wealthier men could avoid service by hiring substitutes or paying a fee. African Americans were initially exempt from the draft, given their non-citizen status as determined by the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision. Nevertheless, African Americans faced their own challenges and opposition to being drafted later on when policies changed.