The Homefronts

1. The Homefronts

2. The Draft: Union • Volunteers for the US military were high in 1861 & would remain so throughout the war • Patriotism, duty, peer pressure, etc encouraged young men to join the ranks • Volunteering did slack off in 1863 though, so Congress passed the first draft • Though most complied w/ the draft, there were serious examples of resistance (July 13-16, 1863 in NYC)

3. As able-bodied men became scarce, generous payments were offered to recruits; some were as high as $1000 • Some corruption existed, with wealthier men buying their way out of service for $300; this caused obvious resentment from poor soldiers • Nevertheless, over 90% of Union troops were volunteers, and the Union had 959,460 men in uniform when the war ended

4. The Draft: Confederate • The CS Congress passed the first conscription act in American history in March 1862; they did this since manpower issued occurred much earlier • Corruption existed with the CSA as well: rich men could buy their way out of it, but so could men who possessed 20+ slaves • No large-scale riots, but there was resistance and non-compliance • By 1865, the South had 445,203 men in uniform

5. Northern Economy • National Banking System established by Congress in 1863 led to the modern US “greenback” dollar • Runaway inflation (common in war-time) would hit 80%, hurting blue & white collar workers • However, large factory owners became extremely wealthy, & manufacturing ballooned • This led some factory owners to cut corners to increase profits; ex: uniforms that fell apart, shoes with cardboard soles

6. The Southern Economy • Import/export revenue was almost nonexistent due to _________? • Heavy taxation was attempted, but failed due to strong states’ rights feelings • Printing money was all the South could do, & inflation reached 9000%! • Invading armies wreaked havoc on the economy, destroying fields, shops, factories, railroads, cattle, etc. • The South’s portion of national wealth dropped from 30% to 12% from 1860-70

7. Southern Bread Riots • On April 2, 1863, mobs in Macon, Atlanta, & Augusta, GA, as well as parts of NC & Richmond, VA erupted in violence • They protested the high cost of bread, butter, salt, & milk • Bad harvests in ‘61-’63, high taxes on farmers, & most food going to the army caused the riots • Many of the rioters were women