Conscription
the enlisting of the inhabitants of a country capable of bearing arms, by a compulsory levy, at the pleasure of the government, being thus distinguished from recruiting, or voluntary enlistment. The word and the system were both introduced into France in 1798 by a law which declared that every Frenchman was a soldier, and bound to defend the country when in danger. On the restoration of the Bourbons conscription was abolished. It was, however, re-enacted, and continued through the Second Empire to form the mode of recruitment in France. An army-bill, passed by the National Assembly in 1872, affirmed the universal liability to conscription, but allowed certain exceptions and postponements. The term of service was fixed at 5 years in the active army, 4 years in the reserve of the active army, 5 years in the territorial army, and 6 years in its reserve the CONSERVATION total length of military service being thus 20 years. Universal liability to military service is the law in Italy, and was in Germany and Austria, until abolished in these two countries by the Peace Treaty of 1919 following the World War. Under the Empire the Russian army was raised by conscription, all men who completed their 21st year being liable. Great Britain and the United States began conscription in 1916 and 1917, respectively, of the World War (1914-1918).