On this day in history, January 21, 1977, President Jimmy Carter granted unconditional and controversial pardons to thousands of men who avoided the U.S. military draft during the Vietnam War.
Prior to the 1976 presidential election, then-candidate Carter promised to grant amnesty to those who evaded the draft as a way to close the nation's books on Vietnam.
The day after the inauguration, Carter kept his promise and granted amnesty to draft evaders who had not committed violent crimes.
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President Carter's presidential proclamation read, “Acting pursuant to the authority vested in Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution, I, Jimmy Carter, President of the United States, hereby vest with full and complete authority.'' Unconditional Pardon: (1) Any person who, between August 4, 1964 and March 28, 1973, may have committed any crime in violation of the Selective Service Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (2) any person heretofore promulgated under or under the Army Selective Service Act, regardless of the date of conviction, between August 4, 1964, and March 28, 1973. Convicted of a crime committed in violation of the rules and regulations promulgated by the law, a person is restored to full political, civil and legal rights. Other Rights. ”
On March 9, 1977, President Carter is shown speaking with reporters after a press conference at the Executive Office Building. He granted amnesty to Vietnam War draft evaders on January 21, 1977, his full day in office. (Getty Images)
During his presidential campaign, Carter said a pardon was needed “to heal our country after the Vietnam War.”
He also said that although differences of opinion remain, “we can now agree to respect and forget those differences.”
However, many people did not forget the difference.
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The American Veterans Association, among many other groups, “has spoken out against all forms of amnesty for those who evade the draft and go to war,” the group says on its website. Says.
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“At the 1976 American Legion National Convention in Seattle, Mr. Carter outlined a plan to pardon offenders. Many of the veterans who booed the announcement were adamantly opposed. “and explored possible legal and constitutional violations of such pardons,” the group said.
It depicts President Jimmy Carter smiling at a podium in front of the American flag in the 1970s. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
After President Carter granted the pardon, “leaders of the American Legion warned of the national security implications of such a step in the event of a future military draft.”
The corps added on its site, “The organization's war veterans honor the founders of the American Legion in World War I, who sought justice for the 'alien slackers' who lived in the United States. Following the same position, they argued that no amnesty should be granted.'' Countries used foreign nationality to avoid conscription during World War I. ”
Most draft evaders fled to Canada.
According to History.com, approximately 100,000 young Americans left the country in the late 1960s and early 1970s to avoid serving in the war.
Approximately 1,000 Americans also deserted the army and headed to Canada.
Ninety percent of them flocked to Canada and were eventually welcomed as immigrants.
Others were hiding in the United States.
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About 1,000 Americans also deserted the military and headed to Canada, History.com reported.
Anti-Vietnam War protesters take part in one of the first demonstrations in New York City in 1967. (Tim Page/I Ubiquitous/Universal Images Group, via Getty Images)
Although the Canadian government had the right to prosecute these deserters, they were often left alone.
After the war ended, the U.S. government continued to prosecute draft evaders until a total of 209,517 people were formally charged with draft evasion.
Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter with anti-Vietnam War demonstrators, left, during the inaugural parade in Washington, DC, Thursday, January 20, 1977. (Tim Page/Eye Ubiquitous/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)(Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
According to History.com, government officials estimate that an additional 360,000 people were never cited.
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Those accused were threatened with prison terms and forced military service upon their return from Canada and other locations.
Carter's, Washington, DC, January 20, 1977 (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection, Getty Images)
Although many who fled the country returned home, an estimated 50,000 Americans settled permanently in Canada.
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Veterans groups criticized him for letting deserters escape, while amnesty groups were furious that he did not include those who had been prosecuted, including deserters, dishonorably discharged soldiers and civilian anti-war demonstrators. pointed out History.com.
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