Which important event brought about the first peacetime draft in the United States? A. the Vietnam War B. the Civil War C. World War II D. World War I

C. World War II

The first peacetime draft in the United States was brought about by the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, in anticipation of World War II. Although the United States had not yet entered the war when the draft was instituted, the global situation and the rise of Axis powers pushed the U.S. to prepare its military forces. This act required men between the ages of 21 and 35 to register for military service. It marked the first time in U.S. history that the country prepared for military conscription in peacetime.

Conscription, often referred to as "the draft," is the mandatory enlistment of people in a national service, most often military service. Throughout history, conscription has been used in many situations, usually during times of war. However, the 1940 Selective Training and Service Act was significant because it was the first time the United States implemented a draft when the country was not actively involved in a war. This preparation proved crucial when the U.S. did enter World War II, following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. A well-prepared military, bolstered by the drafted servicemen, was critical for the wartime efforts of the United States and the Allied powers. After World War II, the draft was also used during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other periods until 1973, when the U.S. military transitioned to an all-volunteer force. Today, men in the U.S. are still required to register with the Selective Service System at the age of 18, but no one has been conscripted since 1973.