Draft Riots of 1863

What I found most appealing during our first day of class for ENN195 is the Draft Riots of 1863. The Draft Riots took place in New York City on July 13 – 16, 1863, due to a new law passed by Congress which drafted men (mostly from the working class) into the civil war. The rioters consisted mostly of Irish men who were angry towards the government. They were upset with the government because they felt the draft was unfairly targeting them and sparing the rich who could afford the $300 bail-out which at that time amounted to a year’s salary for a working class individual.

The draft officially began in New York on July 12, 1863 and caused a mob of drunk angry Irish men to take to the streets which grew larger as time prevailed. They would commit arson and take matters into their own hands. Many would go after who they felt was responsible, such as, the rich and government officials. They would destroy their homes and beat some to death. For many Irish men, it did not matter the consequence; For most, they had nothing to lose.

I believe this was caused by anger built up over time and eventually turning into violence which we discussed in class. We also discussed how violence is a mixture of fear and emotion and how it affects the working class. We spoke about racial, status and economic disparities that was taking place throughout the country and the impact it had on New York City, mainly between the Rich (Dutch), Irish, and African Americans. Finally, we discussed the burning of buildings and the logic of Arson which is a creative destruction and a leveling instinct we as humans have. In my opinion, the topics discussed in class seem very similar to the Occupy Wall Street movement with the connection to fear and emotion. I have a feeling we are about to experience history repeat itself.