New Yorkers reacted to the Conscription Act of 1863 with significant resistance and anger, culminating in the New York City Draft Riots. Many working-class citizens, particularly Irish immigrants, opposed the draft, viewing it as unfairly targeting the poor while wealthier individuals could pay for substitutes. The riots in July 1863 resulted in violent clashes, with protesters attacking draft offices, government buildings, and African American communities. This unrest highlighted deep social and racial tensions during the Civil War era.
racial backlash against the Emancipation Proclamation.
why were new yorkers especially angry with the quartering act
With many volunteers due to end their service to the Confederate army, Major General James Longstreet was summoned to Richmond to provide his input on the contemplated conscription act and new policies related to volunteer enlistments. The 1862 Confederate Conscription Act would be the first time in America that draft laws would be enacted. In 1863, the Union also passed a conscription act.
The Enrollment Act of 1863. First Federal draft law mandating military enrollment for conscription into military service in The United States.
On February 17, 1864, the Confederacy passed its final conscription act of the US Civil War. The new act expanded the ages of potential draftees.
The Conscription Act brought on the New York City Draft Riots of 1863.
racial backlash against the Emancipation Proclamation.
why were new yorkers especially angry with the quartering act
With many volunteers due to end their service to the Confederate army, Major General James Longstreet was summoned to Richmond to provide his input on the contemplated conscription act and new policies related to volunteer enlistments. The 1862 Confederate Conscription Act would be the first time in America that draft laws would be enacted. In 1863, the Union also passed a conscription act.
the Conscription Act of 1862 was a military draft issued during the Civil War
The Enrollment Act of 1863. First Federal draft law mandating military enrollment for conscription into military service in The United States.
On February 17, 1864, the Confederacy passed its final conscription act of the US Civil War. The new act expanded the ages of potential draftees.
North
Under the Draft Act of 1863, it was legal to hire a "substitute" who had not been drafted. A man could also pay $300 (a large sum at the time) to avoid conscription.
The Enrollment Act of 1863, sometimes called the Conscription Act or the Draft Act. It contained a provision that a man who was drafted could get out of it by either hiring someonem else to serve in his place, or by paying a $300 fee (which is in the neighborhood of $10,000 in today's money).
Grover Cleveland. He opted to pay a substitute to do his service. Although this was legal, under the Conscription Act of 1863, it was a bad law which caused much resentment in the ranks, and brought some very poor material into the armies.
The law that forced people into military service during the Civil War was the Enrollment Act of 1863, also known as the Civil War military draft. It required all male citizens and immigrants to register for conscription to serve in the Union Army if needed. Those drafted could also pay a commutation fee or provide a substitute to avoid service.