Many historians and scholars view these riots as the culmination of racial tensions which had been rising due to the migration of African Americans from the rural South to northern cities.

During the New York City draft riots of July 13–16, 1863, which were initially intended to express anger at the draft, the protests turned into a race riot, with White rioters, predominantly Irish immigrants, attacking African American people throughout the city.

Some of the bullets hit civilians, with one striking George Doles of 231 East 127th St while he was in his ground-floor apartment.

[6][circular reference] The Haynes' report, as summarized in the New York Times, lists a race riot as taking place on August 21.

It consisted of terrorist attacks on black communities and white oppression in over three dozen cities and counties.