Term: New York City Draft Riots (scroll down for definition)

Definition: New York City Draft Riots

The Enrollment Act of 1863 meant that the Union would draft troops. New York was a Democratic stronghold, and they opposed the draft because:

1. It favored the rich -- the act said that one could pay $300, or find a substitute to get out of the draft (that was a huge amount of money.)

2. There was race conflict between the Irish and African American population, as they competed for the same jobs and housing in NYC. The Emancipation Proclamation meant that the Irish troops would be fighting for Blacks.

3. There was anti-war, and anti-Republican sentiment in New York.

The riot occurred in July, 1863 ... led to violence against affluent African Americans, Republican supporters, and the rich. It should be noted that the South also drafted with the Conscription Act of 1862. Furnishing 20 slaves would get you out of the draft in the South.

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