Conscription - GCSE History Definition

Definition

Conscription is when a government legally forces its citizens to serve in its armed forces, whether they want to or not. In many cases, people are sent to prison if they do not comply. 

Explanation

Conscription is also known as the draft in the United States or national service in the United Kingdom and other countries. When a country introduces conscription, it creates laws that force certain groups of people to join the army, navy, or air force.

Most conscription systems target young men of a specific age range. The government might require all 18-year-old males to serve for two years, for example. Some countries also conscript women, though this is less common historically.

Countries use conscription when they need large numbers of soldiers. This usually happens during major wars when volunteer armies are too small. Some countries also use conscription during peacetime in order to maintain strong defences.

The process typically involves registration, medical examinations, and call-up notices. Citizens receive official documents telling them when and where to report for military service. Failing to comply often results in imprisonment or heavy fines.

Conscription is different from voluntary military service. In volunteer armies, people choose to join and can choose to leave - usually when their contract ends. Conscripted soldiers must serve for the full required period and do not have the option of quitting.

Many countries have exemptions from conscription. These might include people with serious medical conditions, certain religious groups, or those in essential jobs like farming, mining or medicine.

Some nations allow conscientious objectors to perform alternative service. Conscientious objectors are often pacifists who refuse to fight under any circumstances. Instead of military duties, these people might work in hospitals, schools, or other civilian roles that benefit society or help with the war effort.

Key Historical Facts

Britain introduced conscription for the first time in 1916 during World War One. The Military Service Act made all single men aged 18-41 liable for call-up. This was soon extended to include married men and those up to the age of 51. Before 1916, Britain had always relied on volunteer soldiers.

The United States used conscription extensively during the Civil War (1861-1865). Both the Union and Confederate sides introduced draft laws when volunteer numbers fell short. This led to serious social tensions on both sides. The Union had a ‘pay to substitute’ option and the Confederacy had a ‘Twenty-Slave Law’. Both allowed wealthier Americans to avoid the fighting either through paying for someone to take their place or by owning a farm that had at least 20 enslaved people.  People argued it was a ‘rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight’ and the anger led to draft riots in New York City in 1863.

Nazi Germany expanded conscription dramatically after 1935. Hitler reintroduced compulsory military service, breaking the Treaty of Versailles which had explicitly banned Germany from using conscription. This helped Hitler rebuild Germany’s army, navy and airforce in preparation for the Second World War. It also helped him reduce the large number of people who were unemployed in Germany in the early 1930s.  

The Soviet Union maintained peacetime conscription even after the Second World War ended. All Soviet men had to serve at least two years in the military throughout the Cold War and the system only ended with the collapse of the USSR in 1991.

Many European countries also abolished conscription once the Cold War ended. Britain had ended its national service in 1960 but France maintained conscription until 1996, and Germany until 2011. Professional volunteer armies became more common as warfare became more reliant on technology and less reliant on large armies.

Switzerland still has universal male conscription today. Swiss men must serve in the military or perform civilian service. This reflects Switzerland's policy of armed neutrality and citizen-soldier tradition.

Denmark also still has a system of compulsory conscription. However, as the number of volunteers is so high, very few people are ‘called up’. 

The on-going tension with North Korea means that men aged between 18 and 28 in South Korea have to serve in the military for at least 18 months. The K-pop band BTS famously took a break whilst some of its members served in the army. 

The Vietnam War made conscription hugely controversial and unpopular in America. Young men burned their draft cards in protest, and many thousands fled to Canada to avoid serving. The lottery system, where birthdates were drawn randomly - sometimes live on television - seemed unfair to many Americans. Famously, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammed Ali refused to join up and was convicted of draft evasion in 1967. Although he avoided jail by having his conviction overturned, he was stripped of his world champion titles and prevented from boxing for four years. 

World War Two saw the largest numbers of people conscripted in history. The Soviet Union and Britain also conscripted women into their armed forces. Around 490,000 women were called up to fight in the Soviet Union’s Red Army. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between conscription and volunteering for the military?

Conscription is compulsory - the government forces people to serve whether they want to or not. Volunteering means people choose to join the military themselves. Volunteers can usually leave when their contract ends, but conscripted soldiers must complete their full required service. Volunteers often receive better pay and benefits because the military needs to attract people, whilst conscripts get basic wages since they have no choice.

Can people refuse to be conscripted?

Refusing conscription is illegal in countries that have it. People who don't report for service face prosecution, imprisonment, or heavy fines. However, most countries allow some exemptions for medical reasons, religious beliefs, or essential jobs. Conscientious objectors might perform alternative civilian service instead of military duties. Some people flee to other countries to avoid conscription, but this often means they cannot return home.

Why do countries use conscription instead of professional armies?

Conscription provides large numbers of soldiers quickly and cheaply. Professional armies are expensive because soldiers need good pay and benefits to attract volunteers. During major wars, countries often cannot recruit enough volunteers fast enough, making conscription necessary. Some countries also believe military service in peace time teaches young people discipline and creates national unity. However, conscripted soldiers are often less motivated and skilled than professional volunteers.

How do governments decide who gets conscripted?

Most conscription systems target specific age groups, usually young men between 18 and 25. Governments typically require citizens to register when they reach the minimum age. Selection might be universal (everyone serves) or use a lottery system where names or birthdates are drawn randomly. Medical examinations eliminate people who are physically or mentally unfit. Educational deferments might delay service for university students.

What happened to people who avoided conscription illegally?

As avoiding conscription is breaking the law, those who have done it have often faced serious consequences such as imprisonment, heavy fines, and criminal records. During World War One, British conscientious objectors who refused alternative service were jailed and often treated harshly. In America during Vietnam, draft dodgers who fled to Canada couldn't return home until President Carter granted amnesty in 1977. Some countries executed deserters during wartime, though this was usually reserved for soldiers who abandoned their posts rather than people who simply avoided the initial draft.

Related Glossaries

Civil War 

Conscientious Objectors

Rearmament

Warfare