Did France have a military draft in World War 1?

Answer 1

Yes. Before the war every nation in Europe had compulsory military service, except England. Upon reaching a certain age (usually 20, or 18) men were called to serve, usually two years. After the two years the men were in the reserves for a number of years (twenty or so), and the reserves of every nation were called up for the war. Every nation had a part for the reserves to play when they mobilized for war, a big part of mobilization being getting the men of the reserves equipped and to their units. After about a year and a half of the war, England was also forced to begin conscription (actually the United Kingdom of England and Scotland, but not the entirety of Great Britain, because the draft was not applied in Ireland, though many Irish volunteers fought in the British Army). France had actually changed their system of compulsory military service (the draft, conscription) just two years before the war. French men were now going to have to serve three years on active duty, before being released back to civilian life and the reserves. Germany regarded this new three year law as yet another "provocation" against them by the French.