...I never thought I would say this but I think we should reinstate the draft. It has been years since we have wanted or needed a draft, but in view of the United States being attacked on September 11, 2001, I feel our country must be ready and prepared to defend itself. If being prepared means reinstating the draft, a mandatory summons for military service, then I think we should consider this a reasonable proposal. I think the tragic events of September 11 will evoke most people to agree with me. Since September 11 we have seen a surge of patriotism in this country that seemed hidden for many years. I am so glad patriotism was not lost, and I think most Americans would be willing to defend their country in light of this attack. We are a nation and a people who believe in freedom and democracy. It tells other nations who we are and what we stand for. It is these beliefs that lead me to believe that the people of the United States will do anything to preserve our freedom and democracy even if it means reinstating the draft. I want to prove this notion, but am unsure how to accomplish this. I have not read any recent articles in newspapers or magazines that have dealt with this issue. My textbook was not a source either. So I decided to do two things. First, I went to the Internet for any information, articles, discussions, or statements relating to this issue. Second, I decided to conduct an informal poll. This informal poll consisted of male and female respondents with an age span...
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...received national attention after Robert L. Goldberg questioned whether it was constitutional for the federal government to require only males to register with the Military Selective Service Act (MSSA). The respondent in this case was Bernard D. Roster, Director of the Selective Service System (Oyez). The MSSA requires all males ages 18 to 26 to register with the Selective Service. One may ask, how did the question of women registering for the draft garner such widespread attention and why? When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1980 President Carter reactivated the draft process. Carter recommended that...
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...government now permits women to fill all combat roles, the military still lacks a sufficient amount of females. All women may not be able to meet the same physical requirements as men, but the under-represented gender can offer other crucial skills, such as linguistic ability and higher intelligence, that are currently scarce in the military. As the fight for women’s rights grows, the United States must realize that equal responsibilities must come with equal rights to make women equal citizens to men. Through ensuring that both genders carry equal responsibilities as American citizens, our nation will progress in the fight for equality....
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...women in the military discouraged from training to meet the men's standards? Is this why a significant amount of women have dropped out of military training? (Eden 39) Women in military positions is an issue that has been very controversial for many years. Today, women that are usually serving in the military have an administrative or medical occupation, but filmmakers like Ridley Scott show that women can be strong, independent soldiers. In the movie, the main character Lieutenant Jordan O'Neil played by Demi Moore, is a woman who works for the Naval Intelligence Center (N.I.C) as a topographic analyst. Jordan is selected by female Senator Lillian DeHaven to participate in a test that would allow a woman to take part in the Navy Seals training program. In the past, O'Neil tried to enlist into the United States Navy but was...
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...Axis powers in the war. The National Museum of the Pacific War says “2.5 million African Americans men registered for the draft, 167,000 served in the Navy, 909,000...
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...separatist communities, student protests in Europe, guerrilla movements in Latin America, liberation struggles in Africa, a cultural revolution in China, and a tide of socialism and Marxism. This culture fuels the strength of the women’s movement going into the 1970s. Height of the Movement: 1970s In the 1970s, women convene consciousness-raising groups to educate about gender oppression, create community, and share common experiences. The first women’s studies departments are developed at universities, and the United Nations designates the 1970s the “Women’s Decade.” However, some black women challenge the women’s movement as failing to acknowledge non-white concerns, and many become disillusioned. Lesbian feminists challenge the women’s movement to reconsider their attitudes toward the nuclear family, calling upon women to become “political lesbians” and stop “sleeping with the enemy.” Backlash Era: 1980s The 1980s and the Reagan years saw a backlash against feminism and the defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment. 1973: In Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, the Supreme Court declares that the Constitution protects women's right to terminate an early pregnancy, thus making abortion legal. 1981: The Supreme Court rules that excluding women from the draft is constitutional. In Kirchberg v. Feenstra, the Supreme Court overturns state laws designating a husband "head and master" with unilateral control of property owned jointly with his wife. Third-Wave Feminism: 1990s In the...
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...Since 14th amendment was passed, countless women have claimed to have the right to vote. However, rather than passing the right to vote for women, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was introduced during the 1970s which means that men and women have equal rights under the law. In the short movie “Firing Line”, Mrs. Schlafy believes that the way to have equal treatment between men and women in the United States would bring many undesired changes to American women. Therefore, she strongly opposed the ERA. Mrs. Schlafly was more successful at presenting her argument than her opponent because she uses several rhetorical devices such as audience, tone, and evidence to support her argument. Mrs. Schlafly appears mainly to women’s audience. Based...
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...else (white men) and not in a good way. World War II brought about a lot of changes including, more working opportunities and military opportunities for minorities. African Americans, Native Americans, Mexican Americans, and women were allowed to join the military although there were still some segregation and discrimination. African-Americans gained economic independence during WWII because of the job openings throughout the industry. African-American soldiers were welcomed into certain branches of the armed forces in this war, but, like other wars, there was discrimination and segregation. Soldiers still fought in segregated units throughout the war, but there were advances in the number of commissioned officers. Other forms of racism included barring African-Americans from the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Army Air Corps, and the Navy only allowed African-Americans as mess men. These conditions were not promising, and these policies have been called “Jim Crow military”. Some changes were made with the 1940 Selective Service Training Act which stated that all men between 18 and 36, regardless of race, were eligible to volunteer in naval and ground forces without fear of discrimination. It also prohibited racial and/or color discrimination in selection and training of military personnel. This act attempted to change the makeup of the military, but it did not address the underlying issues present such as stereotypes and racism. Some 44,000 Native Americans...
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...convince others that their side is the only option. The ratification of the ERA could diminish legal battles, as it would negate the traditional assumption that males hold rights and females must prove that they hold them. However, highly controversial and emotional issues such as abortion rights and gay right continue to cloud the overall intent of the Amendment. An Equal Rights Amendment would remove that differential assumption and shift the burden of proof to the alleged discriminator. The ERA while not creating a radical shift in most businesses, could affect industries and jobs that have been seen as traditionally male career fields including professional sports, the military and other highly physical or hazardous careers. Women would have the option to participate in these career fields and be subject to military conscription. “The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was the most highly publicized and debated constitutional amendment before the United States for most of the 1970s and early 1980s.” (Answers.com, 2009) The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) stated "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” (Alice Paul Institute n.d.) If ratified, the ERA would have become the Twenty-seventh Amendment to the Constitution. The ERA, originally drafted by Alice Paul, (National Woman's party), and was first introduced in Congress in 1923. However, no action was taken until “the National Organization for Women...
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...• Robert Livingston • War of 1812- Military conflict between US and Britain following revolution about unresolved issues: trade restrictions, etc. • Tecumseh- Native American leader of the Shawnee and a large tribal confederacy; opposed US in war of 1812. • John Quincy Adams- sixth president; whig. • Empire of Liberty- theme developed first by Thomas Jefferson to identify America's world responsibility to spread freedom across the globe. Jefferson saw America's mission in terms of setting an example, expansion into the west, and by intervention abroad. • Transportation Revolution- early 1800s, development of steamboats, canals, and railroads. Faster transport of people, products, and knowledge. • National Road- First major improved highway in the United States to be built by the federal government. Connection between the Potomac and Ohio Rivers and a gateway to the West for thousands of settlers. • Communication Revolution- Samuel Morse invented telegraph. • The Market Revolution- improvements in how goods were processed and fabricated as well as by a transformation of how labor was organized to process trade goods for consumption. • Porkopolis- Cincinnati was the country's chief hog packing center, and herds of pigs traveled the streets. • Labor theory of value- The value of a commodity is only related to the labor needed to produce or obtain that commodity and not to other factors of production • Second Party System- 2 party system • Democrats-...
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...“The Women’s Army Corp (WAC)” Throughout the history of the United States women have served the country during wartime in a capacity that went largely unrecognized or even acknowledged by the military. Women have helped care for soldiers as nurses or cooks, they worked as spies and in the most extreme cases they would disguise themselves as men so they could serve on the front lines of the battle. World War I brought a change to the military as the fighting was now taking place overseas and the need arose for a larger army, women were now able to begin serving a role that would be recognized in the various branches of the military; the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. These positions were still considered civilian positions and the women did not serve in combat or receive military benefits, instead they served the purpose of enabling the military to send more men to the front lines of the battle overseas while women served as the support staff back home. It was these changes that would later lead to the creation of the Women’s Army Corp during World War II and create a permanent place for women in the United States Army. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 had a profound effect on the American people for many different reasons. There was the loss of life due to the bombing but the main fear arose from the realization that the United States was no longer immune to foreign attack and there was now an increased need for military personnel to...
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...Abigail Adams’ “Remember the Ladies” letter written by the wife of then Congressman Adams in 1776 after the long and grueling battle of Independence for America. The letter argues that men not forget the backbone of this independence, that being the women. By reading we gain a greater understanding and insight into the thoughts of America’s first feminist. The reader will also recognize early key aspects towards equal rights of women in America. The American Revolution (1765-1783) was fought along the Eastern coast of America. The war involved the use of all 13 colonies, and was the first instance and use of Americas “Draft”. While the draft would only call for men to fight, women will still play a pivotal role in providing aid for soldiers. At the time it was socially unacceptable for women to engage in military action, so rather they will be used in positions that tailored itself more towards their “skill set”; i.e. sewing uniforms, first aid, preparing meals, etc. This would allow the men to focus more on strategy and training....
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...English 101 Professor Murray Women in the Military: Warriors or a Liability? Since the dawn of time women have proved themselves in one way or another to be just as capable as men, so if a woman so chooses to risk her life fighting and engaging in hand to hand combat in a war to defend her country why shouldn’t she be allowed to? Women have dutifully served alongside and even in front of men in a line of combat throughout history which extends thousands of years into the past in many cultures and countries around the world. The warrior woman dates back to prehistoric times when individuals mostly fended for themselves to survive. During the Roman incursion into what is today England, there was Boadicea, the British warrior queen who led her people to battle against the Roman invaders. There was also Jinga, the majestic and murderous black queen who fought the Portuguese in seventeenth-century Angola. Modern western culture includes a famous and more popular example, Joan of Arc, who in 1429, at age 17, successfully led French troops into battle against the English. Even without the specific examples of these heroines, consider how, in our more recent history, hundreds of women have disguised themselves as men to fight in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. These acts are not just those of bravery, but true patriotism and those are the type of individuals who are needed in the line of duty to defend this great nation. A women’s restriction in combat is often viewed as a form...
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...personal responsibility for defending them. And yet, today, while our nation continues to fight war on several fronts and must regularly contemplate new military interventions and increased domestic threats, less than 0.5 percent of our population serves in our armed forces. (Eikenberry & Kennedy) Futhermore, this minute percentage “ ... is disproportionately composed of racial, ethnic, and other demographic minorities.” (Kennedy) In part because of this gross disparity, few americans are forced shoulder any true sacrifice from our military actions. Not only is the familial sacrifice of having a loved one serve no longer widespread but the majority of us bear not the tanglible daily realization of being at war that past generations have known, including materials rationing. Even anti-war protests—like those that were a hallmark of our Vietnam War era—are less visible since we have moved to an all volunteer army. This lack of respresentational and fair accountability on our citizenry translates into less accountability on the part of the parties that govern our policies and therefore our military. This rift between those that serve, those that feel any effect and those that make military decisions is an argument for why we are ethically bound to require some mandatory service of our citizens, to reinstate the draft. Responsibility of citizenry/Social...
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...Women’s Roles in the Nineteenth Century: Invisibility and Visibility In nineteenth century, women in the United States were expected to fill the separate sphere of civilization. They were most likely living their lives mainly as caregivers and homemakers, whereas men were expected to live a public life and work in a factory and became a primary breadwinner in a household. Due to these traditional expectations for women in the nineteenth century, only a handful of women had the opportunities for higher education as men. Women had fought for equal rights and opportunities with men throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century. It had been long journey and a painful struggle for the females. Some groups often seen educated women as rebellious...
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