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.
Street gangs were not independent actors; they were the "muscle" for , the corrupt Democratic political organization. subtitle Gangs of New York
: Politicians provided legal protection; gangs provided votes. The Breaking Point: The 1863 Draft Riots The friction between classes and races exploded during
The 1850s and 1860s in lower Manhattan were defined by a brutal collision of , immigration , and political corruption . While Martin Scorsese’s 2002 film brought this era to the screen, the real history of the Five Points neighborhood was often even more chaotic. The Epicenter: Five Points they were the "muscle" for