...personal names at the end of the text. MANIFESTO AGAINST CONSCRIPTION AND THE MILITARY SYSTEM In the name of humanity, for the sake of all civilians threatened by war crimes, especially women and children, and for the benefit of Mother Nature suffering from war preparations and warfare, We, the undersigned, plea for the universal abolition of conscription as one major and decisive step towards complete disarmament. We remember the message of 20th century-humanists: "It is our belief that conscript armies, with their large corps of professional officers, are a grave menace to peace. Conscription involves the degradation of human personality, and the destruction of liberty. Barrack life, military drill, blind obedience to commands, however unjust and foolish they may be, and deliberate training for slaughter undermine respect for the individual, for democracy and human life. It is debasing human dignity to force men to give up their life, or to inflict death against their will, or without conviction as to the justice of their action. The State which thinks itself entitled to force its citizens to go to war will never pay proper regard to the value and happiness of their lives in peace. Moreover, by conscription the militarist spirit of aggressiveness is implanted in the whole male population at the most impressionable age. By training for war men come to consider war as unavoidable and even desirable." (1) "Conscription subjects individual personalities to militarism...
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...countries. In order to defend or protect the country, the United States has to have a military, including all branches of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The establishment of the military will be different in other countries. In some countries, they require military service or call conscriptions. In this field, there are some countries that require it; such as, Brazil, Germany, Israel, Switzerland, South Korea, Mexico, and Russia (Gill 3). However, in other countries, they just have volunteers to join in armies, including Australia, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In both types, supporting or attempting to disprove, try to convince the population in this country by showing facts, opinions, and also research. This essay focuses on some good reasons for having a mandatory military, and good reasons for having a volunteers. Mandatory military provides so many opinions from the opposite sides; such as, immoral, little motivation to properly serve in the armed forces, and also saving money for the country (Gilroy 20). However, the draft would increase the standards for recruitment, expand the Army to the sufficient size, provide sufficient forces to fight in the wars, and gives a chance for young people to develop their future (Yingling 15). In the beginning, conscription or popularly known in the United States as "The Draft" means compulsory enrollment of persons for military or naval service requested by some established authorities. Nowadays, it means serving...
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...Assess the impact of Napoleon on Europe The Napoleonic Empire came into existence following the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France at Notre Dame in 1804. The frontiers of the ancien regime had been expanded up to and beyond France’s natural borders, with the momentum of expansion following in direct correlation with the pace of France’s military conquests under the leadership of Bonaparte himself. The ‘Great Empire’ is often referred to as a single entity embracing French controlled Europe, but territories were in fact separated depending on the levels of French control. Territory ruled directly from Paris was known as the pays reunis which compromised of France’s natural frontiers (borders of the Rhine, Alps and Pyrenees) as well as annexed territories of Piedmont, Parma, Papal States and Holland after 1810. It was also divided into the pays conquis, which were nominally independent satellite states and formed a zone protecting the borders of the French Empire from attacks from countries such as Britain. These were ruled by Frenchmen who were usually close to Napoleon as a family member or as a close friend, such as Jerome Bonaparte who was King of Westphalia and Joachim Murat who was King of Naples. When discussing impact, the effects of Napoleon and his policies on factors such as economies, religion and nationalism in satellite states that composed the Napoleonic Empire will be taken into account, whether positive or negative on the states. Napoleon...
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...Compulsory Conscription World War II marked the last war that received full American support. The draft, known today as compulsory conscription, was an integral part of that war. Seventy percent of American men aged 18 to 35 served. The common experience shared amongst these men created lifetime friendships for an entire generation. No other conflict since then has come close to producing such national unification and pride of citizenry. So states Charles Moskos, late professor of sociology for Northwestern University, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for the U.S. Army, and a draftee for the U.S. Army Combat Engineers (Moskos). Currently, however, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the official estimate of the American veteran population is approximately 24,816,000 (“Veteran”). Total U.S. population exceeds 301 million people (“The New Boomers”). In other words, the ratio of veterans to the total U.S. population is less than 10%. Comparison of these figures reflects that American enlistment ratios in the U.S. Armed forces have decreased dramatically since World War II. The U.S. is a dominant military force in the world today; however, it also has allies that it must help protect and defend in the name of democracy. As a result of the above, American forces are involved in multi-theater (or diverse worldwide) roles, both simultaneously and continuously, thus spreading out our troops over diverse areas. Additionally, the extended war on terrorism...
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...Summary: In many countries around the world, conscription is questionable. Colonel R J Blythe (2010) is the author of “Bring back conscription” believes that going to military should be compulsory because of the benefits which bring to the individual and society. On the other hand, Dennis De Souza (2010) argues in “Conscription? No way!” that people should not be forced into conscription because it might not be necessary and there are always other alternative services. Firstly, both of these authors agree that when people take conscription, they will be taught self-discipline and a number of useful life skills such as teamwork and leadership. Blythe supposes that people can test themselves throughout the physical and mental challenges. Whereas, De Souza argues that the army has interesting recruitment such as ‘Join the Army and see the world’ or ‘ Learn a new skill in the Army’ but does not mentions about any negative things such as killing people or being killed. In the second argument, Blythe claims that people can gain practical job-related skills which will be taught by top professionals and these skills will be useful in the real life after military services. From De Souza’s point of view, he states that focusing on building a strong army can lead to the unnecessary threats to the country’s neighbors and it might end up triggering a war between the countries. Thirdly, Blythe also states that conscription is gain more knowledge and have wider perspective, he supports his...
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...support. The draft, known today as compulsory conscription, was an integral part of that war. Seventy percent of American men aged 18 to 35 served. The common experience shared amongst these men created lifetime friendships for an entire generation. No other conflict since then has come close to producing such national unification and pride of citizenry. So states Charles Moskos, late professor of sociology for Northwestern University, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for the U.S. Army, and a draftee for the U.S. Army Combat Engineers (Moskos). Currently, however, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the official estimate of the American veteran population is approximately 24,816,000 (“Veteran”). Total U.S. population exceeds 301 million people (“The New Boomers”). In other words, the ratio of veterans to the total U.S. population is less than 10%. Comparison of these figures reflects that American enlistment ratios in the U.S. Armed forces have decreased dramatically since World War II. The U.S. is a dominant military force in the world today; however, it also has allies that it must help protect and defend in the name of democracy. As a result of the above, American forces are involved in multi-theater (or diverse worldwide) roles, both simultaneously and continuously, thus spreading out our troops over diverse areas. Additionally, the extended war on terrorism continues to deplete American military forces, and international news reflects American...
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...or supporting the draft is antiwar, portraying this legislation as a national service program offering a choice of a nonmilitary alternative -conscription into the civil service - is disingenuous and a distraction from its true purpose and goal. What possible relevancy does forced service in the Peace Corps, for example, have to ending unnecessary war and American apathy? Further, should Congressman Rangel's Bills become law, as endless and futile wars for profit, greed and power continue and escalate, is it realistic to assume that draftees will choose military service in adequate numbers to restore the ranks of injured and killed combatants? Or, as is more likely, wouldn't "national security" considerations require an abrogation of choice and individuals to be conscripted into the military regardless of their preference? In reality, then, these bills are not about creating jobs and rebuilding this nation's infrastructure. Nor is their purpose to provide American youth with much needed discipline, structure, responsibility and an opportunity to recommit to their country. Nor will they accomplish these goals should they be enacted. Though misleadingly titled a National Service Bill, what is being proposed here is clear and simply nothing other than the reinstatement of a military draft. The Moral and Legal Argument against Conscription While I share Congressman Rangel's and Thom Hartmann's goal of ending illegal and immoral war and their disappointment with the American public's...
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...Reinstating Compulsory Conscription World War II marked the last war that received full American support. The draft, known today as compulsory conscription, was an integral part of that war. Seventy percent of American men aged 18 to 35 served. The common experience shared amongst these men created lifetime friendships for an entire generation. No other conflict since then has come close to producing such national unification and pride of citizenry. So states Charles Moskos, late professor of sociology for Northwestern University, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for the U.S. Army, and a draftee for the U.S. Army Combat Engineers (Moskos). Currently, however, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the official estimate of the American veteran population is approximately 24,816,000 (“Veteran”). Total U.S. population exceeds 301 million people (“The New Boomers”). In other words, the ratio of veterans to the total U.S. population is less than 10%. Comparison of these figures reflects that American enlistment ratios in the U.S. Armed forces have decreased dramatically since World War II. The U.S. is a dominant military force in the world today; however, it also has allies that it must help protect and defend in the name of democracy. As a result of the above, American forces are involved in multi-theater (or diverse worldwide) roles, both simultaneously and continuously, thus spreading out our troops over diverse areas. Additionally, the extended war...
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...anymore, but the country refuses to abandon the old Soviet system and still maintains compulsory army conscription for all men of the ages between 18 and 27. Existing military system that conscripts every young man of the country, often against their will, is very costly, greatly disliked in the society, and creates unavoidable disorders among discontented, forced to serve men. Much has changed since the soviet times, and people’s definitely positive attitude towards the national army is no exception. Today’s population has almost evenly divided into those who are for obligatory army and those who are in opposition to it, agreeing that serving should be a matter of personal choice (Levada Center Research) Nearly every second Russian with no trouble can name a number of reasons for their negative feelings about the national army. Today there are three major problems, accumulated and deepening through time, to be faced by reformers. 1) Insufficient financing Some critics claim that all the problems in the Russian military derive from lack of government funding. Both outdated military equipment and low salaries of the military men cause grave concern. Current Russian government demonstrated that it well understands the problem. As was estimated in 2010 it now spends $58.7 billion on military maintenance which makes 4% of nation’s overall GDP. Although Russian military spending decreased 1.4%...
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...“MEIJI ERA’s (1868-1912) IMPORTANCE IN JAPANESE MODERNIZATION.” Japan is a country that has never been colonised and was never colonised during the colonial period. It was governed by the Emperors, Shoguns, Daimyos and the Samurais through the feudal structure of governance with the Emperor as the head of the hierarchy. It maintained its isolationist policy and never opened-up to the outside world for centuries and was in a stagnant stage in terms of development. However, in the 19th Century it dumped its feudal past and subsequently emerged stronger and economically superior after the rubbles left behind by the Pacific War in the 20th Century. Japan showed her strength in the two World Wars. Japan is now ranked one of the world’s largest power/economy behind The United States and China. It is regarded as a distinct civilization of its own, with very unique history. To fully understand present day Japan and its economic miracle, critical investigation needs to be done on its past history to see where its foundation of modernity and industrialization has been laid. When investigation was done, it showed that the Meiji Era (1868-1912) is considered to be the upward trajectory that fired-up Japanese industrialization and helped establish its modernization path. This started when Japan’s pre-modern political system and its feudal society (1603-1865): the Edo Period, led by the Tokugawa Shogunate, with its band of radical samurais was ended in 1868. The Tokugawa Shogunate/central...
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...what you stand for and your ability to see beyond your own need. Compelling someone to serve, as in the military draft(conscription), is a non effective notion that will not guarantee the strength and quality of its military and further divides us, as a nation. There exists examples of what conscription can do to a nation from the Vietnam War/Conflict. People chose to leave their country, casting off all that they knew and loved instead of serving in the military. Anti Draft and Anti War demonstrations were everywhere, chaos. Citizens faced prison time and were ostracized because of their refusal to serve and their views against the draft and war. A matter of Patriotism can not be governed by politicians and gauged by others who have different views from yours – it should be left up to the individual. There is no evidence to prove that because of the draft, we were a fighting force to be reckoned with or we had the most proficient fighting Soldiers in history, or that the cost of the war was less expensive. There is, however, more evidence to prove the contrary. If someone wishes to serve their country, there have been various programs to do this in lieu of joining the military. Yet, these programs are underfunded and less advertised than service to the military. It seemingly forces an individual to choose service by joining a particular branch of the military or no service at all. When the draft ended in 1973 followed by ending the Selective Service registration...
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...Should Military Service Be Mandatory in the United States? Angela R. Jewell Non Commissioned Officer Academy – Advance Leader Course # 13-003 Should Military Service be Mandatory in the United States? In the world today, there is approximately fifty percent of countries that mandate their citizens to serve in their military for an extended period of time. Those countries that do require their citizens to serve base it on the simple fact that they need to be ready for war AT a moments notice and if all their citizens know how to fight they will succeed in any battle in which they are placed. Israel, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, Germany, and Russia are some examples of democratic countries that require their citizens to serve the national government, not just in the military, in order to mold a better-quality adult in today’s world. With any serious subject that is being considered for implementation, there are those who believe that such an action would be beneficial to any country and those that deem it would do nothing but tear down a society and what a country stands for. As this topic is debated in the United States, both sides need to seriously consider if the implementation of national service helps build the patriotism of its young, if it helps in solving some of the social ills that plague society, and how it develops the character of the individuals that serves. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States of America came together in...
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...Total war means productively taking advantage of the country's own resources and people to seek survival and dominance in a devastating war. The impact of total war on a country was decided by two factors, which were the country's own resources and the allied countries` resources. Therefore, the presence of total war can impact every single aspect of society, including how goods and services are advertised and children`s education. During the First World War, Canada's arrangement for total war was separated into three categories, which were the production of food, manufacturing of war equipment and the growth of a powerful armed force. To conduct this plan into reality, brutal work and effort were put upon the men and women of Canada, thus...
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...“Napoleon – Revolutionary Influence or Beneficiary?” Napoleon Bonaparte is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders of all time. At the height of his power, he had “expanded the conquests of France from her revolutionary borders to that of an empire that stretched from Spain to the steppes of Russia.”[1] In his book The Napoleonic Wars, noted historian Gunther Rothenberg states that Napoleon “created the most effective army of its time, transforming the art of war itself.”[2] While it is true that the French army under Napoleon was the superior force in Europe for some time, credit for its creation and the ways in which it was employed can not be attributed to him alone. In fact, as Hew Strachan points out in European Armies and the Conduct of War, “The components, the technology and the techniques of Napoleonic warfare were all present before Bonaparte’s first successful campaign in 1796.”[3] Napoleon was indeed a superb military commander, but he inherited, rather than created, the conditions and practices which enabled his success. Napoleonic warfare was dominated by large, mobile armies. Decisive battles were sought and the primacy of the offensive was encouraged. The destruction of the enemy’s forces took precedence over geographic aims and victory was to be pursued at all costs. Warfare under Napoleon has been described as being more ‘total’ in nature than those which preceded him. There is little doubt that the ways in which wars were...
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...trench-foot which is a condition similar to frostbite that sometimes caused the soldiers to get gangrene or to amputate their foot/feet. While in the trenches, all the soldiers could hear was the frightening sound of crashing explosions and shells flying through the air. Because of this, it was very hard to sleep. The trenches were also extremely crowded, as well. Sometimes, men in the trenches would be buried alive - as high explosive shells would fall upon the dugouts. In the trenches, soldiers spent all of their time doing nothing but eating, sleeping (despite all the noise), and crouching behind their rifles. Trench warfare involved a lot of random shelling and sniping. Because it was nearly impossible for the soldiers to protect themselves against these attacks, the soldiers were always extremely stressed out and exhausted. The daily struggle of surviving in the trenches contributed to this as well. Along the Western Front, dozens to hundreds of Canadian soldiers were killed and injured every...
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