the draft

This guide is an introduction to the research process that, while not being an exhaustive list of information resources available, should be helpful in getting started in your research about the draft.  Below you will find pointers to suggested research terms about the draft, materials in the library catalog about the draft, websites relevant to the draft, and links to library databases that contain information about the draft.  Please use our email reference service, contact us at (310) 434-4254, or visit us in the library at the reference desk if you need further assistance.

Go to:   Suggested Research Terms   Materials in the Library Catalog    Websites   Library Databases

Suggested Research Terms

One of the really helpful things when searching for information about a topic is a short list of terms related to a topic.  We think the following terms will help with your research about the draft:

• Selective Service
• conscription
• military conscription
• war resisters
• draft dodgers
• anti-war movements
• the military

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Materials in the library catalog related to the draft

We have the following materials in the library catalog related to the draft:

• United States Selective Service
• United States Armed Forces
• pacifists
• conscientious objectors

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Websites on the draft

The following websites will help you with your research on the draft:

United States Selective Service System

Official site of the U. S. Selective Service System. Explains the structure of the agency, the mission ("to provide manpower to the armed forces in an emergency; and to run an Alternative Service Program for men classified as conscientious objectors during a draft"), history of the draft, and other aspects of selective service in the U. S., including a statement on the status of the Selective Service System in the aftermath of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks, and a link to The Military Selective Service Act .

Selective Service System Registration Information

Answers such questions as when and how to register, and who must register. Explains why women aren't required to register, and offers quick facts and figures.

Libertarian Party: End the Selective Service

This 2001 Libertarian Party website advances pre-September 11 sentiments against draft registration.

Selective Service: Cost and Implications of Two Alternatives to the Present System

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) presents this 1997 General Accounting Office (GAO) document comparing the merits of the existing system and other proposed ones. The GAO (the investigative arm of Congress) "reviewed the organization and costs of the Selective Service System draft registration program and estimates of the comparative costs and organizational structure changes of two selected alternatives: a suspended registration alternative; and a deep standby alternative."

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Library Databases relevant to the draft

The following Santa Monica College Library online databases may contain material relevant to the draft.  Databases may include magazine, newspaper and journal articles.  Please note: you must be a Santa Monica College student, faculty or staff member to use these services.

Academic Search Premier, MasterFile Premier
Academic Search Premier and MasterFile Premier provide full text for over 6200 periodicals including full text for more than 3,500 peer-reviewed journals. Coverage spans virtually every area of academic study and offers information dating as far back as 1975.

National Newspapers (1985- current)
Local, regional and national news coverage from selected newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, USA Today, Christian Science Monitor.

Newspaper Source Plus
Provides selected full text for many U.S. and international newspapers. The database also contains full text television & radio news transcripts, and selected full text for more than 800 U.S. regional newspapers.

Encyclopedia Americana
Includes 45,000 articles, plus thousands of hypertext links to web sites featuring additional data. It is updated quarterly.

Encyclopedia, Funk and Wagnalls New World
Provides over 25,000 encyclopedic entries covering a variety of subject areas.

JSTOR
Back issues of over 300 scholarly journals in a wide variety of disciplines: African American Studies, African Studies, Anthropology, Archeology, Art and Architecture, Asian Studies, Ecology, Economics, Education, Finance, Geography, History, Language & Literature, Latin American Studies, Mathematics, Music, Middle East Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Population Studies, Slavic Studies, Sociology and Statistics.