The Draft Riots of 1863

Due to the Enrollment Act, that President Lincoln signed, on March 3rd, 1863, many major cities engaged in riots,killing hundreds. The worst being in New York City, during the week of July 11, 1863. The city was literally unprotected, as all troops were out on the front lines fighting in Pennsylvania. There were only a hand full of police to try and control the thousands of rioters. Those affected the most were the Irish Immigrants and the poor. They did not think it was fair that they were being forced to fight a war they didn't cause. They focused their anger on the African Americans, saying that if there were no African Americans there would be no war or competition for work.

The Enrollment Act