Question
Here is the question : DURING THE WAR, CONGRESS MADE IT ILLEGAL TO BURN WHAT?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Books
- War bonds
- U.S. Constitution
- Draft cards
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
Burning one’s draft card became illegal in the United States after the passage of the Draft Card Mutilation Act in 1965. As a kind of protest against the conscription, many men had been shredding their cards. They saw it as an attempt to force them to fight in a war they did not believe in.
During times of war, governments often take drastic measures to ensure national security and maintain order. In the United States, one such measure was the criminalization of the burning of draft cards during the Vietnam War. This controversial law sparked widespread protests and became a symbol of the anti-war movement of the 1960s and 70s.
The draft, also known as conscription, is a system in which young men are required to register for military service and can be called upon to serve in times of war. During the Vietnam War, the draft was particularly controversial, as many young men opposed the war and did not want to be forced to fight in it. In response, some individuals began burning their draft cards as a form of protest.
In 1965, Congress passed the Selective Service Act, which made it a crime to knowingly destroy or mutilate a draft card. The law was meant to discourage anti-war protests and ensure that the military had a steady supply of draftees. Violations of the law were punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The law immediately sparked controversy and protests across the country. Many young men saw it as an infringement on their right to free speech and a violation of their conscience. Civil rights activists also criticized the law, arguing that it disproportionately targeted young men of color and poor communities.
In response to the protests, the Supreme Court heard several cases challenging the constitutionality of the law. In 1968, the Court ruled in United States v. O’Brien that the law was constitutional because it served a valid government interest in maintaining an effective military draft. The Court also noted that the law did not limit freedom of speech, as individuals were still free to express their opposition to the war in other ways.
protests against the draft and the war continued throughout the late 1960s and early 70s. Many young men refused to register for the draft or burned their draft cards in acts of civil disobedience. The law remained in effect until the draft was abolished in 1973, following the end of the Vietnam War.
the criminalization of the burning of draft cards remains a controversial issue. Some view it as a necessary measure to ensure national security, while others see it as an unconstitutional infringement on free speech and a violation of individual conscience. Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, the law serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between government power and individual rights in times of war.