New York Draft riots

Quick Facts: Who was New York Draft riots?

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New York Draft riots

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Violent 1863 disturbances in Lower Manhattan protesting Civil War conscription laws.

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Origins & Early Life

The New York City draft riots (July 13–16, 1863), sometimes referred to as the Manhattan draft riots and known at the time as Draft Week, were violent disturbances in Lower Manhattan, widely regarded as the culmination of working-class discontent with new laws passed by Congress that year to draft men to fight in the ongoing American Civil War. The protests turned into a race riot against African Americans by Irish American rioters. President Abraham Lincoln diverted several regiments of militia and volunteer troops after the Battle of Gettysburg to control the city. The official death toll was listed at either 119 or 120. One historian estimated a loss in killed and wounded of 1000, most of whom were of the mob, and a probable damage to private property of $1,500,000 (equivalent to $39,200,000 in 2025).

Career & Major Achievements

According to another historian, 18 people are known to have been killed by the rioters, 11 of whom were Black. The riots were one of the largest civil urban disturbances in American history. were also to a considerable extent from the local Irish immigrant community." The military did not reach the city until the second day of rioting, by which time the mobs had ransacked or destroyed numerous public buildings, two Protestant churches, the homes of various abolitionists or sympathizers, many black homes, and the Colored Orphan Asylum at 44th Street and Fifth Avenue, which was burned to the ground. The area's demographics changed as a result of the riot. Many black residents left Manhattan permanently with many moving to Brooklyn.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By 1865, the black population had fallen below 11,000 for the first time since 1820. New York's economy was tied to the South; by 1822, nearly half of its exports were cotton shipments. In addition, upstate textile mills processed cotton in manufacturing. New York had such strong business connections to the South that on January 7, 1861, Mayor Fernando Wood, a Democrat, called on the city's Board of Aldermen to "declare the city's independence from Albany and from Washington"; he said it "would have the whole and united support of the Southern States." When the Union entered the war, New York City had many sympathizers with the South. The city was also a continuing destination of immigrants.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1000: 1000 Milestone — One historian estimated a loss in killed and wounded of 1000, most of whom were of the mob, and a probable damage to private property of $1,500,000 (equivalent to $39,200,000 in 2025).
2. 1822: 1822 Milestone — New York's economy was tied to the South; by 1822, nearly half of its exports were cotton shipments.
3. 1861: 1861 Milestone — New York had such strong business connections to the South that on January 7, 1861, Mayor Fernando Wood, a Democrat, called on the city's Board of Aldermen to "declare the city's independence from Albany and from Washington"; he said it "would have the whole and united support of the Southern States.
4. 1863: 1863 Milestone — The New York City draft riots (July 13–16, 1863), sometimes referred to as the Manhattan draft riots and known at the time as Draft Week, were violent disturbances in Lower Manhattan, widely regarded as the culmination of working-class discontent with new laws passed by Congress that year to draft men to fight in the ongoing American Civil War.
5. 1865: 1865 Milestone — By 1865, the black population had fallen below 11,000 for the first time since 1820.

Notable Quotes by New York Draft riots

“Martial law ought to be proclaimed, but I have not a sufficient force to enforce it.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: New York Draft riots

True or False: “The New York Draft Riots were primarily fueled by opposition to the Union's economic ties to the South.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While economic factors played a role, the immediate catalyst was the passage of the Enrollment Act requiring men to register for the draft during the Civil War.

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