Conscription Timeline of Events

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Conscription

Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...

Timeline of Events

1798

9.5.1798

Conscription is made mandatory in France by the Jourdan law.

1863

7.7.1863

United States begins its first military draft; exemptions cost $300.

7.13.1863

New York Draft Riots: in New York City, opponents of conscription begin three days of rioting which will be later regarded as the worst in United States history.

1916

11.13.1916

Prime Minister of Australia Billy Hughes is expelled from the Labor Party over his support for conscription.

1917

5.18.1917

World War I: The Selective Service Act of 1917 is passed, giving the President of the United States the power of conscription.

6.5.1917

World War I: Conscription begins in the United States as "Army registration day".