About This Lesson
During the New York City Draft Riots the city's own inhabitants unleashed a torrent of violence and destruction that chiefly targeted African-Americans. What originated as a protest against military conscription quickly escalated into a riot at the 19th-century crossroads of race and class. These historical event offers students a unique opportunity to analyze and understand how the interaction of complex social issues can be multifaceted and far-reaching. For more resources from the National Council for the Social Studies, visit http://www.socialstudies.org/
