Draft Riots

Where were the riots?

Riots were held in multiple cities such as New York, Brooklyn, and Staten Island and even in other states such as in the cities Boston and Detroit.

Who was involved in the riots?

People who were involved in the riots were mainly white workers and American immigrants (mainly Irish and Irish-Americans)

What were the riots about?

The riots were about a new conscription law that made all male citizens between the ages of 20-35 and all unmarried men between 35-45 subject to military duty, not including African American men. Which made white workers very unhappy and caused anger and rioting.

Why did the riots happen?

The riots were brought about by racist white rioters who were not happy with the fact that an amendment was passed that did not allow African Americans to enlist in the army. They were mad because they had to enlist to be drafted into the army but African Americans did not have to and they thought that was not fair.

When did the riots take place?

The riots were started on July 13th, 1863 and took place throughout 3 days and ended on July 16th after police were finally able to restore order.

Draft Riots

A series of violent disturbances in New York City, Brooklyn, and Staten Island and even cities in other states such as Detriot and Boston that were the result of unhappiness with new laws passed by Congress to draft men to fight in the ongoing American Civil War.