What impact did lowering the draft age have during WWII and the Vietnam War?(4 points)

Question

Responses

It led to demands to eliminate poll taxes.
It led to demands to eliminate poll taxes.

It led to demands to lower the voting age to 18.
It led to demands to lower the voting age to 18.

It led to demands to allow women to vote.
It led to demands to allow women to vote.

It led to demands to prevent race from being used to deny voting.

Answer 1

The impact of lowering the draft age during WWII and the Vietnam War primarily led to demands to lower the voting age to 18.

1. Connection between draft and voting rights: As young men were drafted into military service at age 18, many argued that if they were old enough to fight for their country, they should also be able to vote. This contributed to the wider movement advocating for lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.

2. Social and political mobilization: The involvement of younger individuals in military service prompted a generation to become more politically active, influencing public discourse and policy related to youth rights and representation in democracy.

3. Legislative changes: This demand ultimately contributed to the passage of the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1971, which established 18 as the minimum voting age in federal, state, and local elections.

4. Cultural implications: The increase in military conscription of younger individuals during these wars catalyzed a broader cultural shift regarding youth and civic engagement, shaping the political landscape of the 1960s and beyond.

Thus, among the options provided, the most relevant impact of lowering the draft age was "It led to demands to lower the voting age to 18."