What act, passed in 1917, required men ages 18 to 45 to register for the military draft?

The Selective Service Act of 1917 was a significant piece of legislation in the United States, enacted to facilitate the recruitment and mobilization of soldiers for World War I. This act mandated that all men between the ages of 18 and 45 register for the military draft, which was a crucial step in ensuring that the U.S. Army had sufficient manpower as the nation entered the war.

The act was significant because it represented the federal government's response to the urgent need for soldiers as American involvement in World War I escalated. It established a system for the selection of individuals for military service, thereby formalizing the draft process and making it systematic.

This legislation underscored the United States' commitment to the war effort and was part of a broader shift in the government’s role in society, advocating for widespread civic duty during times of national crisis. The act ultimately resulted in the conscription of millions of American men, profoundly impacting the demographics and social fabric of the nation during and after the war.