Military Draft Essay

When the Civil War broke out and men were needed to serve in the war, the government used conscription, the mandatory induction of men into the military.1 Though some people use this word just like the word draft, the two concepts are different. Draft is the process to determine who will be chosen to serve; it’s like a lottery. Currently, men ages 18-25 have to register with the Select Service with the possibility of serving in the military,2 but conscription itself was abolished in 1973.3 New York City was considered the business capital of the U. S. When the Civil War began in April 1861, citizens of the city were divided as to their role in the war. Many merchants and financial institutions did not want to lose their Southern business, but the mayor of New York wanted it to secede from the Union. The poor people of the city felt the Civil War was making money for the rich and they were resentful. When the first military draft was created in March 1863 and established to support troops fighting in the South, it caused even more friction between the citizens. All men between 20 and 45 years old were required
The Irish, one of the largest immigrant groups in New York, 6 felt they were being discriminated against because they had to serve in the Civil War. Because of their low wages, often less than $500 a year, the Irish were very upset by the federal provision allowing wealthy draftees to buy their way out of the Federal Army for $300. They simply did not have that kind of money. Because blacks were not considered American citizens during this time of history, they did not have to register for the draft. When the drawing of names began in New York on July 11, 1863, mobs of foreign-born workers, especially the Irish, stormed the city streets, assaulted residents, refused to listen to police orders, attacked draft headquarters, and burned buildings. Property damage eventually totaled