Martin Scorsese's 2002 film, Gangs of New York, is a very unique film that blends fictional drama with a historical setting. (This blend is perhaps my favorite kind of movie/story, i.e.: Reds, Titanic, Doctor Zhivago, Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, etc.) I've seen this film several times now, however last evening I gave it my undivided attention and thus feel inspired to write about it's historical topic. The movie stars many big names such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day Lewis, Liam Neeson, Cameron Diaz, Brendan Gleeson, John C. Riely, Jim Broadbent, etc. It went on to receive 10 Academy Award nominations. It's a classic masterful movie, easily in my top 50 all time.
The story takes place in 1863 at the Five Points district of New York City. It depicts the political and racial tensions that occurred in the city during the height of the Civil War. The tension primarily arose with the native protestant Americans against the Irish Catholic immigrants. In this post I'd like to take a look at how the site became a center point for Irish immigrants, as well as the racial tension that resulted in the New York City Draft Riots, one of the worst riots in American history.
The majority of these Irish immigrants settled in New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. Some quickly found jobs working on canals and railroads and were welcomed for their hard-work mentality. However others weren't so lucky and soon their numbers began to overwhelm the streets of New York City. This was much to the dislike of native Protestant Americans, who felt the Irish immigrants were taking jobs away. Quite naturally a racial sentiment arose at the height of this immigration which also coincidentally occurred during America's most divided period; the Civil War.
One of the key political factions of the Irish immigrants was the Tammany Hall organization of New York City. This was the Democratic headquarters of New York City, which worked as the city's loyal political machine. Many of NYC's business and political leaders were associated with this organization that had many corrupt dealings throughout the city. One of the most famous bosses of the Tammany Hall was the congressman William M. Tweed, who created a powerful and corrupt regime within the city from 1858 to 1872.
Irish Immigration
By the early 1800s, following Ireland's unification with Great Britain, many Irish citizens began to migrate to North America for numerous reasons such as religious freedoms and better job opportunities. Ireland was a predominant Catholic nation, and suffered new hardships due to English Protestant favored laws. These new harsh laws were perhaps a cause to the poverty that gripped the region during the Great Famine of the 1840s. From 1840-1860 the Irish diaspora experienced it's greatest wave of migrating, with nearly 2 million immigrants settling in the United States.
The majority of these Irish immigrants settled in New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. Some quickly found jobs working on canals and railroads and were welcomed for their hard-work mentality. However others weren't so lucky and soon their numbers began to overwhelm the streets of New York City. This was much to the dislike of native Protestant Americans, who felt the Irish immigrants were taking jobs away. Quite naturally a racial sentiment arose at the height of this immigration which also coincidentally occurred during America's most divided period; the Civil War.
The Tammany Society
One of the key political factions of the Irish immigrants was the Tammany Hall organization of New York City. This was the Democratic headquarters of New York City, which worked as the city's loyal political machine. Many of NYC's business and political leaders were associated with this organization that had many corrupt dealings throughout the city. One of the most famous bosses of the Tammany Hall was the congressman William M. Tweed, who created a powerful and corrupt regime within the city from 1858 to 1872.
During the time, Tweed became one of the most influential men in New York City, through business and politics. He was able to control the city's patronage through his position as a congressman, wealthy businessman, city supervisor, and especially his leadership of the Tammany political faction. He was director of the Eerie Railroad, Tenth National Bank, and the New York Printing Company. As corrupt as he was, he played a very influential role in helping Irish immigrants transition into American society.
The Dead Rabbits and the Bowery Boys
In the film it is suggested that Boss Tweed, played by Jim Broadbendt , is at first under the influence of the Native gangster Bill the Butcher, played by Daniel Day Lewis, however later switches sides to work with the Irish immigrants. Tweed switches sides because he realizes the Irish immigrants carry the majority vote. This of course infuriates the native gangsters led by the ruthless and bigoted character of Bill the Butcher Cunning. This fictional antagonistic character, brilliantly portrayed by Daniel Day Lewis, is a representation of the the historical gangster William Poole. Poole was head of the Bowery Boys, an anti-Catholic, anti Irish, native gang of the Five Points of New York City.
The greatest opposition to the Native gangs of the Five Points district, were the Irish Roach Guards, also known in modern times as the Dead Rabbits. The group consisted of Irish thieves and thugs trying to survive in the midst of poverty and racial tensions. In the film they are united under the leadership of the Irish-American Priest Valon, played by Liam Neeson. At the opening of the film, the Irish priest is killed at the hands of Bill the Butcher, and thus 16 years later he is redeemed by his son, Amsterdam Valon, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The basis of the film's story and character's take some fictional liberty, however still are inspired by actual gangs, leaders, and events of the time.
The Dead Rabbits and the Bowery Boys
In the film it is suggested that Boss Tweed, played by Jim Broadbendt , is at first under the influence of the Native gangster Bill the Butcher, played by Daniel Day Lewis, however later switches sides to work with the Irish immigrants. Tweed switches sides because he realizes the Irish immigrants carry the majority vote. This of course infuriates the native gangsters led by the ruthless and bigoted character of Bill the Butcher Cunning. This fictional antagonistic character, brilliantly portrayed by Daniel Day Lewis, is a representation of the the historical gangster William Poole. Poole was head of the Bowery Boys, an anti-Catholic, anti Irish, native gang of the Five Points of New York City.
The New York City Draft Riots
Perhaps one of the most infamous spillovers of the Irish gangsters, was the New York City Draft Riot. This occurred as a racial reaction to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 as well as the Union Draft imposed that year. Many working class Irish felt it unfair that they should fight and die for freed slaves, of whom would become their new competition for jobs. To make matters even more unfair, the wealthy could buy their way out for $300. The draft thus resulted in a fast spreading protest led by working Irish immigrants, that spilled over into a race riot against blacks.
The initial uprising began on July 11th of 1863 as the draft drawings began to unfold throughout the city. The first acts of civil disobedience were carried out by firemen who began to assault the provost marshal's office. The uprising quickly spread throughout the streets, as Irish workers began to disrupt the public order through vandalism and violence. When they were opposed by the police forces, the Irish mob turned their anger towards black people, and began a series of attacks and public lynchings. This chaos lasted for a full three days, until order was finally restored by the military.
To this day the riot remains the largest civil uprising in America's history, (excluding the Civil War). It lasted 3 days, and caused 120 deaths, and over 2000 injuries. 11 of the deaths were lynchings of black people. The aftermath of the riot, caused many blacks to permanently flee the island of Manhattan and settle in Brooklyn. It was an atrocious event, a civil war within a civil war. It was no different than a Confederate victory, and took heavy Union resources to repair. It is a sad historic example of the poor fighting the poor, only as a means to survive in a rich-man's world.
Perhaps one of the most infamous spillovers of the Irish gangsters, was the New York City Draft Riot. This occurred as a racial reaction to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 as well as the Union Draft imposed that year. Many working class Irish felt it unfair that they should fight and die for freed slaves, of whom would become their new competition for jobs. To make matters even more unfair, the wealthy could buy their way out for $300. The draft thus resulted in a fast spreading protest led by working Irish immigrants, that spilled over into a race riot against blacks.
To this day the riot remains the largest civil uprising in America's history, (excluding the Civil War). It lasted 3 days, and caused 120 deaths, and over 2000 injuries. 11 of the deaths were lynchings of black people. The aftermath of the riot, caused many blacks to permanently flee the island of Manhattan and settle in Brooklyn. It was an atrocious event, a civil war within a civil war. It was no different than a Confederate victory, and took heavy Union resources to repair. It is a sad historic example of the poor fighting the poor, only as a means to survive in a rich-man's world.
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