New York City Draft Riots: Causes and Impact

• During the Civil War, the U.S. government implemented conscription, which raised questions about forcing individuals to fight for others' freedom

Confederacy's Conscription

• The Confederacy initially introduced conscription and faced widespread opposition
• As the war continued and casualties increased, the Union's volunteer numbers decreased, making conscription more relevant

Union's Militia Law

• In July 1862, Congress passed a militia law, allowing the president to draft state militia troops into the national army
• Some states delayed implementation by successfully recruiting volunteers
• By autumn, the government widely used the "state draft" to authorize the president to draft militiamen, especially after Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

Emancipation Proclamation Impact

• Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, made the war about slavery, which was unpopular in the North
• Racist sentiment, job competition fears with blacks, higher taxes, and expanded government power added to the opposition

Resistance to Conscription

• Recruitment became difficult, and federal authorities used inducements and conscription threats
• Opponents protested, sometimes violently
• The army used troops in areas of resistance like Pennsylvania coal regions, German Catholic communities in Wisconsin, and parts of Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio
• Provost marshals arrested resisters, and the army imprisoned antiwar activists, leading to more protests

Political Cartoon

• A political cartoon titled "Don't you see the point?" appeared in Harper's Weekly on August 29, 1863

Democrats' Opposition

• In the fall of 1862, Democrats used civil liberties, racism, and opposition to the draft and emancipation to gain ground with voters
• Republicans labeled war opponents as traitors and called some Democrats "Copperheads"
• Republicans maintained their congressional majority, but Democrats gained control in several states, including New York
• The draft became a divisive political policy, unifying the opposition

Enrollment Act of 1863

• In March 1863, Congress passed the Enrollment Act, authorizing a national draft
• All able-bodied male citizens and immigrants between 20 and 45 were to be enrolled
• Provost marshals implemented the draft when districts couldn't meet quotas with volunteers
• The first draft was in July 1863, followed by three more in 1864

Draft Exemptions

• Exemptions were available for those supporting widows, aging parents, or motherless children
• Draftees could hire substitutes or pay a $300 commutation fee
• Substitutes were often young men, and immigrants who hadn't applied for citizenship were substitutes
• The option to hire a substitute or pay a fee angered many, who viewed the conflict as "a rich man's war and a poor man's fight"
• Over 20% of those drafted refused to report, fleeing West or hiding

Immigration Concerns

• Immigration increased before the war, slowed at the start, but grew again due to demand for workers and higher wages
• Some immigrants saw military service as a financial opportunity through enlistment bounties and hiring substitutes

Immigrant Soldiers

• About 25% of Union soldiers were immigrants, some tricked into service
• Nativism was strong, and Irish immigrants faced prejudice and bigotry due to being Roman Catholic
• Immigrant troops served well in ethnic units like the Irish Brigade from New York, which fought at Antietam and Gettysburg

Opposition to the Draft

• Many in the North viewed the draft as a violation of freedom
• The first national draft in July 1863 led to protests and violence
• The Democratic Party used racist rhetoric against freeing black slaves to rally the poor, workers, white farmers, and immigrants against the draft
• Race, ethnicity, economics, and government power expansion contributed to the draft crisis

Iowa Democrats' Opposition

• Iowa Democrats opposed Lincoln's "wicked Abolition crusade" and resisted drafting citizens
• New York's governor, Horatio Seymour, predicted the draft would lead to mob violence
• Protests occurred nationwide, with the worst being the New York City Draft Riots

New York City's Tensions

• New York City was divided along ethnic, racial, social class, and religious lines
• Many German and Irish immigrants lived in ethnic areas and worked for low wages
• African Americans also faced racism and discrimination
• The Democratic Party's political machine organized wards to win elections and moved immigrants to citizenship quickly to get their votes

Draft Lottery in NYC

• On July 11, 1863, army officers began the draft lottery in New York City
• Most Union troops had been sent to help stop the Confederate invasion
• On July 13, a mob formed in opposition to conscription, leading to riots, violence, and property destruction
• Buildings were set on fire, firefighters were attacked, and soldiers, policemen, and African Americans were targeted
• The mob beat, tortured, and lynched black men, setting their bodies afire