The Draft Riots of 1863 | New York City’s Darkest Civil War Uprising |

In July 1863, New York City erupted in the violent Draft Riots, one of the darkest moments of the Civil War. Sparked by anger over unfair conscription laws, mobs attacked draft offices, wealthy homes, and tragically targeted African Americans. For five days, the city burned, leaving over 100 dead and countless lives shattered. This video explores the causes, chaos, and aftermath of the 1863 Draft Riots, revealing the deep racial and class divisions that shook America. Discover how New York’s streets became a battlefield and why history still remembers this tragic uprising.