The New York city draft riots (1863)

The New York City Draft Riots hold the dubious distinction of being the largest urban insurrection by civilians in the history of the United States. In April 1861, the Mayor of New York City, Fernando Wood, had advocated for the city's secession from the Union and joining the Confederacy. However, his call did not receive support from most New Yorkers. Nonetheless, the introduction of the first military draft two years later sparked anti-government sentiments, especially among the city's Irish-born population who were hit hard by the $300 fine to avoid the draft. The disenfranchised and poor white men, who were usually Irish, were forced to enroll because they were the sole breadwinners for their families.

When the draft reached New York City in July 1863, anti-government agitation turned into anti-government and anti-black violence. The Irish resented competing with freed people for jobs, which drove the anti-black violence. On the third day of the draft, July 13, the situation boiled over, and the city witnessed riots. A mob led by volunteer firefighters attacked businesses employing African Americans, destroyed homes of prominent abolitionists, and looted and burnt the Colored Orphans' Asylum. Accounts in New York newspapers documented the deaths of black individuals, with only 120 out of an estimated 663 deaths being reported to the police. Of those reported, 106 were African Americans.

Although the Union had recorded major victories at the Battle of Gettysburg and the Siege of Vicksburg on July 3, President Abraham Lincoln was forced to deploy 4,000 Union troops to quell the violence in the city. The troops, including those who had fought at Gettysburg, managed to restore order, and the riots ended on July 16. The ringleader, John Urhardt Andrews, was arrested and jailed, but there were no other convictions.