The Selective Service Act of 1917 was passed primarily to address the need for a larger army during World War I. At the time, the United States joined the war effort and sought to rapidly expand its military forces. The Act aimed to ensure a fair and efficient way of raising soldiers by implementing conscription or the draft. It required all males between the ages of 21 and 30 to register for potential military service. The Act sought to address the shortage of troops and provide a structured method to increase the size of the army to meet the demands of the war effort.
