 Formal legislation to exempt objectors from fighting was first granted in mid-18th century Great Britain following problems with attempting to force Quakers into military service.In 1757, when the first attempt was made to establish a British Militia as a professional national military reserve, a clause in the Militia Ballot Act allowed Quakers exemption from military service.In the United States, conscientious objection was permitted from the country's founding, although regulation was left to individual states prior to the introduction of conscription.