cwstates - New York

Men of New York enlisting to fight in the Civil War

New York During the Civil War
The civil war started in 1861 and ended in 1865. before the Civil War, New York was divided into social classes depending on racial and economical interests. When the Civil War began, many people resented the war efforts which brought economic difficulty and increasing unemployment to working class neigborhoods. Competition for jobs between Irish and black became intense even before the war. Racial tension became stronger. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation thatset free all slaves into the Confederate states. Many
men, black and white, enrolled to fight in the war.

A drawing of the burning of the colored orphan asylum opn Fifth Avenue during the rioting; July 13th

New Yorkers began rioting during the Civil War. They burned down building and destroyed almost the whole city.

A drawing of New Yorkers fighting in the Civil War.

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