The Draft | Full Episode

America’s place on the world stage has always depended on its military might, and its military might has always depended on the draft. But the draft has stirred up controversy since America’s founding, throughout its history, and continues to do so today. What does it mean to serve one’s country in a time of war? What do you owe your fellow Americans?

Anti-communist fervor prompted American involvement in Vietnam. Kennedy and Johnson committed young men to the cause via the draft — and public opinion initially supported the drums of war. But anti-war protestors gradually gained support as rising draft numbers made it impossible to ignore the reality of combat.

President Wilson re-branded the draft with the Selective Service Act, outlawing substitution and establishing medical and educational deferments and local draft boards. But while 3 million draftees were willing to fight the “war to end all wars,” the conflict only set the stage for an even greater struggle.

In the tumult of the Vietnam War protests, Congress declared destroying draft cards a federal crime. Tom Cornell and David McReynolds took their chances with civil disobedience, and were among the organizers of a legendary draft card burning in Union Square. Protestors and counter-protestors clashed as draft cards went up in flames.