The Homefronts

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 , 1863 in NYC)

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

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

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

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

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