The Vietnam War Draft: Key Concepts and Impacts

The video discusses the conscription process during the Vietnam War, highlighting the introduction of the draft by President Johnson in 1965. It explains the registration and selection process, which was often seen as unfair, with many draftees coming from poor and working-class backgrounds. Various deferments and exemptions were available, and draft resistance grew over time, leading to public discontent. In response, a draft lottery system was introduced in 1969 to make the process fairer. The draft ended in 1973 when President Nixon shifted to an all-volunteer force.

What year marked the beginning of conscription in America due to the Vietnam War?

• 1965

• 1966

• 1967

• 1964

Who primarily composed the local draft boards?

• Veterans

• Local politicians

• Businessmen

• School teachers

Which groups were most likely to be drafted according to the local boards?

• Business owners

• Middle and upper classes

• Poor and working-class backgrounds

• College students

What was a common way to defer from the draft?

• Being a single parent

• Having a full-time job

• Being a college student

• Owning a business

Until what age could men with college deferments be eligible for induction?

• 35

• 38

• 32

• 30

What term was used to describe those who opposed the draft?

• Draft resistors

• Draft dodgers

• War opposers

• Conscientious objectors

What was the public's attitude towards draft dodgers as the war progressed?

• Highly supportive

• Increasingly sympathetic

• Largely indifferent

• Increasingly negative

What was the first birthdate announced in the draft lottery?

• December 25

• September 14

• October 21

• July 4

When was the final draft lottery drawing held?

• 1972

• 1974

• 1971

• 1973

Who ended the draft and shifted to an all-volunteer force?

• President Ford

• President Nixon

• President Johnson

• President Kennedy