Conscription in the WWII.

Unpopular, unwieldy, and unfair, conscription raised more discontent than it did soldiers. Especially considering the first Confederate conscription law applied to men between 18 and 35. As a result, any man healthy enough to walk and any man strong enough to hold a gun was sent to face a fairly certain death. Believing with some justification that unwilling soldiers made poor fighting men, volunteer soldier's despised conscripts. How could the Government send men who unqualified, unprepared, and unwilling to fight a war?

Conscription also undercut morale, as soldiers complained that it compromised voluntary enlistments and appeared as an act of desperation in the face of repeated military defeats. But compulsory service embittered the public, who considered it an infringement on individual free will and personal liberty and feared it would concentrate arbitrary power in the military. However, Conscription allowed for a stronger force and it implied contribution to neighbor's, therefore also contributing to possible alliance with the joined country in future wars. It helped people recognize they weren't the only people on the earth, and that other Countries needed their help.

There have always been citizens who are devoted to an inspiration, beliefs, values, religion, and a cause. Among them, there have always been people convinced that, at whatever risk to themselves, their commitment must not involve the use of violence or war. Forcing men to conscript is therefore defeating certain religious beliefs against their will and against what they have lived their life defending. Although this is what many believed and still do, they also had to consider within their religion, what God would do. Would he stand back and watch evil take its course, or would he help those in a time of suffering? Obviously violence was not a preferred option, but considering the circumstances, what other options did they have in those times? Furthermore, even though death was a feasible possibility, they had to realize that they were dying so that others may have a chance to live their lives in peace.

Conscription held many opinions, anti and pro filled the hearts and heads of many. Would their son ever come back? Taken against their will, would his parents ever be able to look into the eyes of their little boy? As young as 18 were sent off to war, unprepared for the amount of tragedy and loss and they would experience. It helped countries have a fighting chance, yes, but one must think about the great trouncing of a nation's cherished loved ones.