The Enrollment Act of 1863 was a critical measure during the American Civil War, mandating compulsory service for male citizens aged 20-45. It allowed for exemptions and substitutions, leading to socioeconomic disparities and the infamous New York Draft Riots. The act and its consequences highlighted class and racial divisions, influencing future social movements.
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The Union Congress passed the Enrollment Act, which required all male citizens between the ages of 20 and 45 to enroll for the draft
Commutation Fee and Substitution System
The Enrollment Act allowed draftees to avoid service by paying a fee or providing a substitute, exposing socioeconomic inequalities
Bounty Jumpers and Frustration
The substitution system was exploited by some, leading to frustration and resentment among those who could not afford to avoid service
The Enrollment Act was overseen by Provost Marshal General James Barnet Fry and managed by state-level officials and local enrollment boards
The riots, sparked by the implementation of the draft, exposed class and racial divisions and resulted in violent resistance and suppression by Union troops
The riots targeted government and military institutions, African American communities, and businesses employing African Americans, and had lasting effects on American society
The public's response to the draft reflected the complex dynamics of a nation in conflict with itself and influenced future social and political movements
The Confederate draft initially required men aged 18 to 35 to serve for three years but was later expanded to include men aged 17 to 50 for the duration of the war
Exemptions for Slaveholders
The Confederate draft exempted slaveholders, contradicting the Confederacy's professed values of states' rights and individual liberty
Internal Dissent and Resistance
The exemptions for slaveholders led to internal dissent, resistance, and desertion as the war dragged on
The conscription policies of the Civil War highlighted and intensified existing class and racial divisions, sparking debates over citizenship, government, and freedom
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During the American Civil War, men aged between ______ and ______ were required to register for the draft, according to the Union's Enrollment Act.
20
45
01
Enrollment Act Commutation Fee Impact
The $300 fee allowed draft avoidance, unaffordable for many laborers, disproportionately impacting the poor.
02
Substitution System Exploitation
'Bounty jumpers' exploited the system by enlisting as substitutes, deserting, and repeating elsewhere.
