In today's society, the war in the Middle East can be considered a controversial topic. The men and women of Iraq and Afghanistan risk their lives every day to help keep our country free. No one forced them to serve in the United States Armed Forces, although they made a conscious decision to serve. However, these men and women represent only a small percentage of the American population. Should all men and women be required to serve in the U.S. armed forces when they graduate from high school or should the United States require compulsory military service? Compulsory military service, or conscription, is perhaps as old as humanity itself. Conscription says that in times of war, all able-bodied men and women must serve to defend their country. Many people know conscription by another name, conscription. Most governments resort to conscription at some point, most commonly Smith 2 when the voluntary enlistment of soldiers fails to meet military needs. Conscription was a widespread practice in Europe in the 19th century. Military conscription was first imposed during the American Civil War. There was a shortage of soldiers and the government believed that conscription was the best way to acquire troops. The Union Enrollment Act of 1863 enlisted all able-bodied men between the ages of twenty and forty-five. At the time, many people were very angry because anyone who could pay a tax in the amount of three hundred dollars could be exempted from military service. Numerous riots took place and around a thousand people were injured. The second war in which the United States imposed conscription was World War I. In 1917, a month after the United States entered the war, Congress...... middle of paper ......ask.com/questions-about/Mandatory-Military-Service>."The Mandatory military service would benefit the United States" NewsMax.com: US News Page - News Archive. Internet. May 10, 2011. “Military conscription, recruitment and conscription – for/against.” http://uspolitics.about.com/. Internet. May 10, 2011. "Rangel calls for mandatory military service - CNN." CNN Featured Articles. December 29, 2002. Web. May 10, 2011. “Age of Service and Obligation (Latest) by Country.” NationMaster - World statistics, country comparisons. Internet. May 10 2011. .