Embedded Files
The New York City Draft Riots (1863)
The New York City Draft Riots (1863)
page 238-243 in Passport
Burning Buildings
Burning Buildings
Orphan Asylum
Orphan Asylum
Shooting the Rioters
Shooting the Rioters
Instructional Goal: (Copy in Notebook)
SWBAT explain two reasons why the New York City Draft Riots happened.
Vocabulary - (Copy in Notebook)
Draft – When the government forces people to join the military.
Riot – A violent disturbance by a crowd.
Mob – A large, angry group of people.
Asylum – A safe place, especially for people who need protection.
Racism – Unfair treatment of people because of their race.
Violence – Harm done to people or property.
Chaos – Complete confusion and disorder.
Essential Question: (Group Discussion)
When you're angry, is it ever okay to take your feelings out on everyone around you?
Read the text and takes notes in your notebook
The New York City Draft Riots (1863)
The New York City Draft Riots (1863)
In the summer of 1863, something terrifying happened in New York City. During the Civil War, the U.S. government needed more soldiers, so they started a draft. That meant some men were forced to join the army. But not everyone was treated the same. Wealthy men could pay $300 to avoid going to war. Poor men—especially Irish immigrants—could not. This made them angry.
At the same time, many of these poor white workers were afraid of losing their jobs to Black Americans. They didn’t want to fight in a war to free enslaved people if they thought those people would move north and take their jobs. Their anger exploded into violence.
From July 13 to July 16, mobs of mostly Irish men stormed the streets. They burned buildings, attacked police, and destroyed property. But the worst part? They attacked Black New Yorkers. Innocent men, women, and children were beaten—and some were even killed—just for being Black.
One place they targeted was the Colored Orphan Asylum, a safe home for Black children. The rioters burned it down, but thankfully the children escaped. Still, the message was clear: Black lives were in danger.
The U.S. Army had to come in and stop the violence. Over 100 people were killed. Many Black families fled the city. The riots showed how racism, class struggle, and war could explode into chaos.
Essential Quote |
In the Shadow of Slavery Passport Page 239
Essential Quote |
In the Shadow of Slavery Passport Page 239
“Even in the North, where slavery was gone, freedom was not safe. The shadow of slavery still followed Black Americans—through hate, through fear, and through Fire.🔥 "
“Even in the North, where slavery was gone, freedom was not safe. The shadow of slavery still followed Black Americans—through hate, through fear, and through Fire.🔥 "
Comprehension Questions
Comprehension Questions
Answer in complete sentences and restate the question.
What was the draft, and why did it make people
angry in New York City in 1863?
Why were poor immigrants especially upset about the draft?
Who were the main targets during the Draft Riots, and why?
What happened at the Colored Orphan Asylum?
What does the phrase
“The shadow of slavery still followed Black Americans” mean?
How did the U.S. Army respond to the riots?
How did the riots affect Black families in New York City?
Journal Prompt #
Journal Prompt #
Use emotions and expand on your inside voice narration.
📝
Journal Prompt
(Choose one of the following voices to write from.)
Choose one point of view and write a journal entry:
🧒 A young Black child living at the "Colored Orphan Asylum" the night it was burned.
👮 A police officer trying to stop the mob but scared for his own life.
👷 An Irish immigrant who doesn’t want to fight in the war and feels angry—but also feels remorse about the violence.
In your journal entry, describe:
What you saw
How you felt
What you wished would happen next
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