2013 Event Austria holds a national referendum on whether or not to retain its system of conscription for the army and social service for young men; they vote to keep military service compulsory 1959 Event Belgium shortens conscription to 12 months 1954 Event Dutch military conscription shortened from 20 to 18 months 1954 Event Belgium shortens military conscription from 20 to 18 months 1952 Event General strike against overtime conscription in Belgium 1951 Event Belgium extends conscription to 24 months 1917 Event Dutch 2nd Chamber okays 1908 conscription draft 1916 Event Conscription begins in Britain 1916 Event Conscription begins in Britain 1916 Event Britain's military service act enforced (conscription) 1915 Event Dutch SDAP demonstrates against conscription 1913 Event Government -Barthou falls due to overtime conscription 1863 Event 1st wartime conscription law in U.S. goes into effect 1863 Event 1st U.S. wartime military conscription bill enacted 1798 Event New conscription law goes into effect in France
