Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumPolitical and Social Impacts of the Civil War

“The city of New York has been for the past twenty-four hours at the mercy of a mob. . . . The ostensible cause of the outbreak was opposition to the conscription law, which began to be enforced in the Ninth District on Saturday morning last. But it is very evident that the movement . . . is designed to inaugurate a revolution in the interest of the Southern rebellion. The rioters have burned several buildings, including the Draft Office . . . and have committed many acts of violence upon unoffending citizens, particularly colored persons.”

— *New York Times*, July 14, 1863

Which of the following developments during the Civil War most directly contributed to the social tensions described in the excerpt?

  1. The implementation of a federal military draft that allowed wealthy individuals to hire substitutes or pay a commutation feeAnswer
  2. B
    The introduction of constitutional amendments guaranteeing equal protection and voting rights for newly freed individuals
  3. C
    The passage of congressional legislation establishing military districts to enforce Southern political Reconstruction
  4. D
    The outbreak of widespread protests against the introduction of protective tariffs like the Morrill Tariff

Answer

The implementation of a federal military draft that allowed wealthy individuals to hire substitutes or pay a commutation fee
The correct option is correct because the Union’s Enrollment Act of March 1863 established a national draft to bolster Union forces. Crucially, the law allowed drafted men to avoid service by paying a $300 commutation fee or by hiring a substitute. This policy created intense class resentment among low-income laborers and working-class immigrants, who viewed the conflict as a 'rich man's war and a poor man's fight.' When enforcement of the draft began in New York City in July 1863, it ignited days of violent rioting, which quickly turned into racialized violence against African Americans, whom the rioters blamed for the war and feared would compete for Northern jobs.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the historical context of the stimulus.
The stimulus describes the New York City Draft Riots of July 1863, noting that the unrest was triggered by opposition to the 'conscription law' and resulted in racial violence targeting African Americans.
Understanding the specific event described in the text is necessary to identify its direct causes.
2
Evaluate the underlying causes of the New York City Draft Riots.
The Enrollment Act of 1863 introduced the first federal draft in US history, but it included a provision allowing individuals to pay a $300 commutation fee or hire a substitute. This provision favored the wealthy and angered working-class immigrants (primarily Irish Americans) who feared job competition from newly freed African Americans.
Linking the social tensions and racial violence to the specific provisions of the draft law isolates the correct historical explanation.
3
Select the option that aligns with the draft policy causes.
The option referencing a federal military draft with commutation and substitution provisions directly describes the policy that sparked the riots.
This option accurately explains both the opposition to conscription and the class and racial resentment details in the excerpt.

Key Concept

Political and Social Impacts of the Civil War
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

Political and Social Impacts of the Civil War

More questions from this topic