Civil War Draft Riots 1863: New York — Reading Comprehension

The New York City Draft Riots of July 1863 were among the largest civil disturbances in American history. The riots erupted after the U.S. government passed a new conscription law, requiring men to join the Union Army during the Civil War. This law was unpopular, especially among working-class New Yorkers, many of whom were recent Irish immigrants. Tensions grew because the law allowed wealthier citizens to pay $300 to avoid being drafted, creating feelings of inequality and resentment.

The government’s decision to draft men was a response to the urgent need for soldiers. As casualties mounted, President Lincoln and Congress believed that mandatory military service was necessary to preserve the Union. However, many poor laborers saw the law as unfair. They feared losing their jobs, and believed that they were being forced to fight a war that would benefit the wealthy. An excerpt from a letter by a New York laborer, published in a local newspaper, captured this anger: "It is a rich man’s war, but a poor man’s fight." This quote shows the deep division in society over who should bear the costs of war.

The riots began on July 13, 1863, when angry crowds attacked government buildings and the homes of prominent citizens. Over several days, the violence escalated. African American residents became targets due to rumors that the war’s true purpose was to end slavery, which some believed would threaten their jobs. The rioters destroyed an orphanage for Black children and attacked people in the streets. This tragic event revealed the prejudice and fear that existed within the city’s working-class population.

Different groups viewed the riots in distinct ways. Many Irish immigrants saw themselves as victims of an unjust system. They protested what they saw as discrimination and economic hardship. African Americans, however, experienced the riots as a terrifying attack on their community. Many were forced to flee their homes. City officials and the military saw the riots as a threat to order and democracy. They called in federal troops, some fresh from the Battle of Gettysburg, to restore peace. Their arrival brought an end to the violence, but at least 100 people were killed and thousands were injured or left homeless.

The consequences of the Draft Riots were far-reaching. The event exposed how tensions over race, class, and the meaning of citizenship could explode into violence. In response, the government made some changes to draft policies, but deep social divisions remained. The riots also led to greater efforts by African Americans to organize and defend their rights. Historians argue that the riots remind us that democracy is fragile when people feel excluded from decision-making or treated unfairly by their leaders.

In analyzing the Draft Riots, it is important to recognize the complexity of the event. The riots were not simply lawless violence, but a reaction to real fears and injustice. At the same time, the attacks on innocent people and the destruction caused lasting harm. Understanding multiple perspectives helps us see how issues of fairness, identity, and power can shape history in unpredictable ways.

Interesting Fact: The Draft Riots were so intense that President Lincoln considered sending more troops to New York, even as the major Battle of Gettysburg was ending.

When did the Draft Riots begin?

Which group was targeted during the riots?

How could the wealthy avoid the draft?

Why did working-class men resent the draft?

What does the quote 'a rich man’s war, but a poor man’s fight' mean?

Who restored order after the riots?

The riots lasted for several days. True or false?

What is 'conscription'?