I was reading Woodrow Wilson's Wikipedia article which stated that he instituted the first "effective draft." I thought there was a draft for the Civil War. Is this an error by wikipedia, or am I wrong about the Civil War, or does "effective draft" somehow not apply to the Civil War? Thanks.
2007-11-23 11:25:03 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Conscription for the Civil War included provision to allow someone to avoid their obligation by finding someonelse to take his place with a payment of $300.
It was also poorly and inconsistently administered.
2007-11-23 11:30:10 · answer #1 · answered by RTO Trainer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the official "draft" was a Woodrow Wilson thing but conscription existed in the Civil War. There was an enrollment act that allowed for paid "substitutes" if the draftee did not choose to serve. The Union army also provided citizenship for mercenaries from other countries like Ireland. That's how my great-great grandfather became an American
2007-11-23 11:31:10 · answer #2 · answered by aputerlady 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wikipedia is not considered an accurate source in academia.
Forced conscription occurred during the Civil War and even in some small case during the Revolution. However, the draft changed in language in the 20th century.
2007-11-23 11:28:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first draft came about during the Civil War. Pres Wilson only refined it a little bit to make it more effective. He didn't invent it. Matter of fact, it was invented by the French.
2007-11-23 11:29:40 · answer #4 · answered by Richard B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haven't you heard of the New York Draft riots? People didn't want to be conscripted especially immigrants living in New York city. Union troops had to be rushed from the Gettysburg battlefield to put down the riot. The union troops shot rioters without warning with .577 Caliber bullets. Our troops should do that today too.
2007-11-23 11:57:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are right, there was a draft during the civil war. But for 25 dollars, you could buy your way out of serving the union army
2007-11-23 11:29:20 · answer #6 · answered by acdcrocketman1976 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
old scout, i agree with you, especially since bill clinton's attorney general broke the law anyway in waco, texas using the military on civilians,in the movie"gangs of new york" both the army and the navy were used and about 4 years ago, the origonal "five points' in new tork city was found,it's on a web sight
2007-11-23 12:32:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
At one time I believe it was called conscription which occurred in Massachusetts for the battle of Lexington.
2007-11-23 11:31:30 · answer #8 · answered by googie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋