History's Mysteries Season 2 Episode 6 The Civil War Draft Riots

In History's Mysteries season 2 episode 6, titled "The Civil War Draft Riots," viewers are taken back to the summer of 1863 in New York City. The Civil War was raging on, and tensions were high as the Confederate Army had recently won another victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville. As a result, President Lincoln implemented a draft, forcing men to enlist in the Union Army.

This decision didn't sit well with many of the residents of New York City, particularly the working-class Irish immigrants who made up a large portion of the population. They felt that the draft unfairly targeted them, as they couldn't afford the $300 commutation fee to buy their way out of the draft. Furthermore, many of them had come to America to escape conscription and didn't want to fight a war they didn't believe in.

On the morning of July 13, 1863, the draft began. As the names of potential soldiers were called, tensions boiled over. Riots broke out across the city, with angry mobs attacking draft offices and burning buildings. The violence only escalated as the day wore on, and soon the entire city was engulfed in chaos.

The riots continued for four days, with over 1,000 people injured and over 100 killed. The violence was particularly brutal towards African Americans, whom the rioters blamed for the war and whom they saw as competition for jobs. Many Black people were lynched, beaten, or burned alive in their homes. The police force was overwhelmed and unable to control the mobs, with many officers themselves sympathetic to the rioters' cause.

The episode explores the different factors that led to the draft riots, including the economic hardships faced by Irish immigrants, the racist attitudes towards African Americans, and the general unrest caused by the war. It also examines the government's response to the riots and how they were eventually quelled.

Through interviews with historians and archival footage, "The Civil War Draft Riots" offers a fascinating look at a little-known chapter of American history. It sheds light on the struggles of working-class immigrants and the long-standing issues of racism and discrimination that continue to plague our country today.