If you think the South was racist and the North was not, think again. There was plenty of racism in the North during the Civil War. From July 13-16, 1863, rioting in New York City resulted in hundreds of deaths. The rioters were mainly Irish immigrants, who ironically were the victims of racism themselves. The spark was a new draft law that exempted blacks, but not whites. A white male could avoid being drafted, but only if they could pay $300 for a substitute. At a time when most workers made about $500 per year, substitutes were only for rich white guys. The resentment was fueled by fear that blacks would take white jobs. Bosses had already hired blacks as strikebreakers. If the North won the war, what was the future like for white workers? The rioters started by burning the draft headquarters. They then looted businesses, burned bridges, and destroyed telegraph lines. They then attacked black neighborhoods. Black men were lynched to lamp posts. White women married to black men were murdered. A black orphanage was burned to the ground. It got so out of hand that 4,000 troops were brought in to quell the riots. Ironically, the unit had fought at Gettysburg. Since the rioters had barricaded their neighborhoods, the soldiers had to assault them. When the dust cleared, around 120 people were dead and the draft proceeded.
1 Comment
MICHAEL R HERNDON · September 4, 2021 at 1:11 am
Very good article! Yes your quite right about racism not being just a “southern thing”. In fact the worst as mentioned in your article was the NY draft riots. Detroit had at least 2, 1919 & 1967. LA has had at least 2, 1965 & 1992. Although culturally close to the south, but not a southern state per se, Tulsa Oklahoma also experienced a large riot in 1906. By the way I just “discovered” War Buff Blog & have spent hrs. reading on this site as I am a History lover (Nerd) & veteran of the US ARMY, as well as a lifelong lover of war movies .I once aspired to be a history teacher but got side tracked in to becoming a cop! LOL! A real shame their aren’t more, & better made war movies. Seems they are all reduced to “Action Adventure” or comic book status. There are so many war films that have great potential, start out good, & then just lose their way & sputter out. Keep up the good work!