: Politicians provided legal protection; gangs provided votes. The Breaking Point: The 1863 Draft Riots
The friction between classes and races exploded during the Civil War. The allowed the wealthy to buy their way out of the draft for $300, infuriating the poor Irish community.
: Federal troops redirected from Gettysburg were required to restore order. Legacy of the Gangs subtitle Gangs of New York
By the late 1800s, the "gangs" evolved. Disorganized street brawling transitioned into the structured hierarchy of , eventually giving rise to the modern American Mafia.
: Often volunteer firemen by day, street brawlers by night. The Irish Immigrants (The Dead Rabbits) Context : Fleeing the Great Famine in Ireland. : Federal troops redirected from Gettysburg were required
The conflict wasn't just about territory; it was a battle over the definition of an "American." The Nativists (The Bowery Boys) : William "Bill the Butcher" Poole.
: Catholic and politically loyal to the Democratic machine. Symbol : A dead rabbit impaled on a pike during battle. Political Puppet Masters: Tammany Hall : Often volunteer firemen by day, street brawlers by night
📍 : The chaos of Old New York was the painful "birth" of the modern American melting pot.