The New York Draft Riots of 1863 took place from July 13 to July 16 in New York City. The riots were a response to the Enrollment Act of 1863, which required all able-bodied men between the ages of 20 and 45 to enroll in the Union Army for military service during the American Civil War. The act was widely unpopular, especially among working-class New Yorkers, who believed the draft unfairly affected their communities.
The riots began on July 13, when a crowd of working-class New Yorkers gathered at the draft office to protest the enrollment process. The protest quickly turned violent, with the crowd attacking the draft office and setting it on fire. Over the next three days, the violence spread throughout the city, with mobs of people attacking police officers, black residents, and political opponents. The New York City police force was unable to control the riots, and the governor of New York ordered militia units to restore order.
The New York Draft Riots resulted in at least 120 deaths, numerous injuries, and significant property damage. The riots were one of the largest and most violent episodes of civil unrest in American history, and they highlighted the deep social and economic divisions that existed in American society during the Civil War. The riots also had a lasting impact on the city of New York and the United States, as they demonstrated the need for better law enforcement and the importance of preserving civil order during times of national crisis.