ABSTRACT
The National Conscription Act of 1863 was passed in accordance with the provision in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution giving Congress the power "to raise and support armies." The result was a radical departure from tradition, with the federal government replacing the states as the primary agency for generating military manpower. It authorized the federal government to draft American citizens and foreigners who had declared intentions to become citizens. On July 13, 1863, many laborers, mostly poor and unskilled, expressed their outrage at the new draft law by attacking and setting the draft office in New York City on fire. Although peace was finally restored by the arrival of federal troops on July 16, opposition to the military draft produced by the inequalities of federal conscription, as well as racism, led to the loss of almost 100 lives.
