The Introduction of the Draft Lottery
President Nixon and the Lottery System
In 1969, President Richard Nixon signed into law a landmark bill that established a draft lottery as a method for selecting military draftees for the Vietnam War. This new system was revolutionary as it aimed to make the draft process fairer and less arbitrary, as opposed to previous selections based on age and local draft boards’ decisions.
The Purpose of the Draft Lottery
The draft lottery was introduced during a contentious time in American history marked by widespread protests against the Vietnam War. The goal was to minimize claims of bias in draft selections and reduce public discontent by creating a transparent method for conscription.
The Mechanics of the Lottery
How the Lottery Worked
The lottery took place on December 1, 1969, where birth dates were drawn randomly. Each date corresponded to a number, and men aged 18 to 26 were called to serve based on their lottery number. This drastically changed the previous system where many felt that affluent or connected individuals were able to evade the draft.
The Impact on American Society
This system brought a significant shift in public perception towards the draft, as many young men were anxiously awaiting their draft numbers. While it aimed to create equality, the effects were mixed, with many still feeling the burdens of a war they opposed.
Fun Fact
The First Lottery Numbers Drawn
The very first number drawn in the draft lottery was 366, which corresponded to the birth date of September 14th. This led to considerable media coverage and increased public interest in the outcome of the lottery.
Additional Resources
Recommended Reading on the 1969 Draft Lottery
To delve deeper into this historical event, consider reading "The Vietnam War: A History" by Stanley Karnow or "Drafted: A Chronicle of the Vietnam War" by David P. Lacy. Both provide rich insights into the complexities of the draft system during this turbulent period.
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