In Search of History

The Civil War Draft Riots

In July of 1863, New Yorkers upset over the federal government's new Conscription Act rioted and looted the city for three days. Because of the traditional hostility of the American people toward compulsory military service, the federal government had relied, during the early stages of the war, on voluntary enlistment to obtain recruits for the Union armies. The pressing need for more soldiers compelled Congress to pass (March 3, 1863) legislation, known as the Enrollment Act, that imposed liability for military duty on virtually all able-bodied males between the ages of 20 and 45. Opponents of the administration and policies of President Abraham Lincoln vigorously attacked the bill, criticizing with particular emphasis a provision that enabled draftees to obtain exemption from service by supplying a substitute or by the payment of $300. As the date for enforcement of the act approached, dissatisfaction with this provision, called the

• appeasement
• conscription
• controversial
• exemptions
• insurrection
• loophole
• minions
• ominous
• provocation
• proximity
• vanguard

Discussion Questions

1. The Civil War divided the United States in two and forced Americans to fight against each other. What were some of the causes of the Civil War? How was this division apparent even at the inception of the United States?

2. Discuss the role of racial and ethnic tension in the New York City Draft Riots.

3. Americans protested against the draft during the 1960s Vietnam War. Compare the draft protests of the 1860s with those of the 1960s.

4. New York City provided the perfect background for the riots. Describe New York City in 1863. How did the demographics and atmosphere of the city contribute to the draft riots?

5. Discuss how southern secession offered immigrants an opportunity to display their patriotism.

6. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation effective January 1, 1863. What was this proclamation? Why did he issue it? What were the results? How did it change the course of the war?

7. Why were Irish immigrants in New York City unhappy with Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation?

8. The Conscription Acts had a loophole. What is a loophole? What was the loophole in the act?

9. What were the class implications of the Conscription Act? How did class antagonisms contribute to the riots?

10. How did the riots start? How did they end?

Extended Activities

1. Moderate a class debate on the ethics of a draft system.

2. Imagine that you lived in New York City during the Draft Riots. Write a diary or journal entry about your experiences in the riots.

Related Videos

• 

Air Dates

• September 01, 2004