Historically, the rights of citizenship and the obligations of military service have often been linked, from the city-states of ancient Greece to the nation-states of 19th century Europe. A significant exception to this rule was the United States, until the Civil War, when military conscription was used by both the Union and the Confederacy. Contrary to popular mythology, opposition to the draft did not begin with the Vietnam War, nor did the nation volunteer en masse for the world wars. An estimated 300,000 men evaded the draft during WWI. Most of the 16 million American soldiers in WWII were drafted.
In the 1960s, the draft became the focal point for opposition to the Vietnam War. After much debate, a presidential commission recommended ending the draft, and in 1973 the All-Volunteer Army became a reality. But the debate over military conscription continues today: Does having a draft make war more or less likely? Should citizenship be linked to compulsory military service? Or is the individual's right to choose paramount?
What's Included in a Lesson:
Discover the comprehensive resources included in our A Volunteer Military or a Draft? lesson:
- Student video viewing guide (with a note-taking section and 4 thematic questions)
- Video Lesson
- Lesson activity one
- Online formative assessment
- Lesson activity two
Our carefully designed lesson components work together to create an engaging and immersive learning experience, promoting critical thinking, and academic growth. From thought-provoking preview questions and informative video lessons to interactive activities and assessments, each element supports your students' understanding of key concepts and encourages meaningful discussions. Explore the richness of our Virtual International Field Trip lessons and inspire your students to embark on an exciting educational adventure that will broaden their perspectives and ignite their curiosity.
Lesson Presentation:
Select the preferred format for your lesson plan and access the interactive content designed to enrich your teaching experience.
Lesson Resources:
Our comprehensive Lesson Resources section includes an Educator How-To-Use Guide, providing step-by-step instructions and strategies for seamless lesson implementation. Engage your students with the Student Viewing Guide, which focuses their attention on key concepts and promotes active learning during the video lesson. Extend the learning experience with Lesson Activity One and Lesson Activity Two, offering interactive exercises that reinforce understanding and encourage critical thinking. With these carefully crafted resources at your fingertips, you'll have everything you need to create a dynamic and immersive educational journey for your students.
Online Formative Assessment:
Each lesson has an 11-question formative assessment, ten multiple choice questions, and one written response that will test your students' general understanding of the video. This can be done in class with technology or issued for homework.
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