Conscription

• French revolutionary wars


  Some states established local militias for defense.

  Turning Point: Levee en Masse introduced, reflecting mass mobilization.

  Europe's reaction: Prussia reorganized militarily after defeat, introducing conscription.

  Example: BATTLE of Valmy (1792) showcased the effectiveness of mass conscription in repelling invading forces. French forces, consisting mostly of conscripts, held off the Prussian advance, with casualties estimated at 1,000 for the French and 3,000-6,000 for the Prussians.
• Napoleonic wars


  Spread of conscription: Denmark (1806), Spain (1810).

  Prussia retained large regular army and reserve system.

  Introduction of conscription in Japan during Westernization.

  Example: BATTLE of Austerlitz (1805) demonstrated the strategic advantage of conscript armies in Napoleon's victories. Napoleon's Grande Armée, mainly composed of conscripts, defeated the Austrian and Russian forces, with casualties estimated at 9,000 for the French and 36,000-45,000 for the Allies.
• ACW


  Conscription necessitated administrative and financial reforms.

  USA discontinued conscription post-war.

  Example: BATTLE of Gettysburg (1863) highlighted the challenges of conscript armies in sustaining prolonged conflict. Over three days of fighting, Union and Confederate forces suffered approximately 51,000 casualties combined.
• Small wars


  Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary utilized conscription for national unity.

  France employed conscription post-Franco-Prussian War to restore pride.

  Example: Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) demonstrated the importance of conscription in national defense and resurgence. The conflict saw approximately 1.2 million French and 1.3 million German troops mobilized, with casualties totaling around 600,000 for France and 500,000 for Germany.
• WW1


  Different conscription models: cadre/conscript, militia, expandable/selective.

  Urbanization and communication improvements facilitated conscription.

  Example: BATTLE of the Somme (1916) illustrated the limitations of conscript armies in large-scale offensives. British and French forces suffered around 620,000 casualties, while German casualties numbered approximately 450,000.
• Post WW1


  Treaty of Versailles banned German conscription.

  Hitler reinstated conscription in 1935; Britain adopted it in 1939.

  Example: German Blitzkrieg tactics in the early stages of WW2 showcased the effectiveness of conscript armies in rapid offensives. The German invasion of Poland in 1939 saw the quick defeat of Polish forces, with casualties estimated at around 70,000 for Poland and 16,000 for Germany.
• WW2


  WW2 saw varied responses to conscription: Russian determination, British and American success in complex operations.

  Allies aimed to avoid WW1 scenarios, while Japanese soldiers had fatalistic views.

  Example: BATTLE D-Day landings (1944) demonstrated the capability of conscripted Allied forces in executing amphibious operations. Allied casualties on D-Day were approximately 10,000, with German casualties estimated at 4,000-9,000.