by James Pasto

The Boston Draft Riot of July 14, 1863, is remembered more as the "North End Draft Riot," since it began in the North End and the worst part of it occurred in the nei. The context was the American Civil War and the resistance of many Irish immigrants to conscription into the Union Army.

Immigrant resistance stemmed in part to the fact that the wealthy had the option to pay a $300 substitution fee, which was often purchased by the destitute to support their families, giving rise to the saying that the Civil War was "a rich man's war but a poor man's fight" (of course, many notable wealthy elite served voluntarily, such as the famous Robert Gould Shaw, grandson of a North End family, who led the all-black 54th regiment).

Read more

Fonte: Bostoniano