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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2011}}
The '''Jourdan Law''' of 5 September 1798 ({{lang-fr|loi Jourdan-Delbrel}}) effectively institutionalised [[conscription]] in [[Revolutionary France]], which began with the [[levée en masse]].
It stipulated that all single and childless men between the ages of 20 and 25 were liable for [[military service]].
Exemptions existed however for the clergy, industrial workers essential for the war-effort, students from selected [[Grandes écoles]], and public office holders.
The law discriminated against the poor and large [[peasant]] population through the legally sanctioned practice of 'replacement', which allowed anyone who was able, to purchase someone to enlist in their place.
It was named for the French General [[Jean-Baptiste Jourdan]].
== Extracts from the Law ==
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