blood tax

noun1

1. •
   A tax paid by bloodshed; especially, a derogatory term for military conscription.

   • "France is the mother of Conscription. What has she gained by that blood-tax?"
   • "I appeal to the working men of Great Britain..not to be misled by catch-phrases about ‘the liberty of the subject’ and the ridiculous cant about a ‘Blood Tax’!"