Chair Williams on the historical origins of the 1863 Draft Riots
Chair Williams explains the origins of the 1863 Draft Riots, including the first federal military draft, long-simmering racial tensions, and fears among working-class Northerners about emancipated slaves competing for jobs.
As I'd like to start by making some brief remarks on my bill proposed in show number 496A.
New York cannot tell its full story while leaving the racist violence of the draft riots of 1863 unmarked and its victims unremembered.
In July of 1863, mobs of civilians participated in destructive and violent series of riots throughout the city.
The riots...
were instigated by, and among other things, the institution of the first federal military draft in U.S.
History.
Long-simmering racial tensions and the belief by some working-class Northerners that the abolition of slavery would cause emancipated former slaves to come north, compete for jobs, and cause economic upheaval.