New York City Draft Riots

New York City Draft Riots

Avoid the Draft for $300.00!

Between July 13 and July 16, 1863, shortly after the Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, riots broke out in New York City. On March 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Enrollment Act of Conscription, subjecting 300,000 men in the Union to a mandatory and random draft. Wealthy citizens, however, could pay a "commutation" fee of $300.00 to guarantee their removal from the random draft. The commutation fee brooded resentment among the poor populations of major northeastern cities, particularly those of Irish immigrants, who competed for low paying jobs with African-Americans.

A Massive, Deadly Riot

On July 13, the names of the draftees were announced in New York City. Before long, a huge mob of up to 50,000 New Yorkers rioted, looting business, destroying buildings, and targeting the city's African-American population. The rioting lasted three days and resulted in the torching of an African-American orphanage and church and the murder of dozens if not hundreds of people (the exact number of deaths has never been documented and estimates range from several dozen to up to one thousand). The local police were powerless to stop the mob. President Lincoln was forced to deploy Federal troops to restore order to the city. The New York City Draft Riots represent the largest and most violent civil insurrection (other than the Civil War itself) in American history.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why were poor people angry about the draft during the Civil War?
  2. Who was most affected by the violence during the New York City Draft Riots?
  3. What role did race and class play in the causes of the riots?
  4. How did the government respond to stop the riots?

The Draft and the $300 Rule

In March 1863, President Lincoln created a draft law that required many men to serve in the Union army. However, wealthy people could pay $300 to avoid being drafted. This made many poor people, especially Irish immigrants, angry because they could not afford to pay.

The Riots Begin

On July 13, 1863, when the names of those drafted were announced in New York City, riots broke out. A huge crowd of up to 50,000 people started destroying buildings, looting stores, and attacking African-Americans.

Violence and Chaos

The mob burned down an orphanage for African-American children and even a church. Many people were killed, but the exact number is not known—some say it was dozens, others say it could have been as many as a thousand. The local police could not stop the violence.

Federal Troops Stop the Riots

President Lincoln had to send in Federal troops to stop the riots and bring peace back to the city. The New York City Draft Riots were the largest and deadliest civil uprising in U.S. history, other than the Civil War itself.