TO:
High School Principals and College Advisors
FROM:
The Fund for Public Schools – Arlene Dominguez
SUBJECT:
“Civil War Draft Riots of 1863” Essay Contest
DATE:
September 27, 2013
Application Deadline: December 16, 2013
The Fund for Public Schools and the Union League Club of New York are pleased to invite applications for
the “Civil War Draft Riots of 1863” essay contest. In order to commemorate its 150th anniversary, the
Union League Club of New York established this essay contest to deepen students’ knowledge of New
York City’s history and to allow students to explore how an atmosphere of political uncertainty, anger,
inequalities, and ethnic conflict led to violence during the Civil War. The contest will award $2,000 to an
outstanding public high school senior who writes the most compelling essay about this era in New York
City history.
Background
In 1863, while the American Civil War raged far south of New York City, the metropolis witnessed
widespread violence upon its African-American residents. Some poor and working class whites, unable to
pay for exemption from the Union army draft resented this inequality and feared the economic competition
and potential social changes resulting from the abolition of slavery by the Emancipation Proclamation of
1862. Further, some bitterly resented being drafted to fight for the freedom of slaves, when free blacks in
New York, because they were not citizens at the time, were not subject to the draft. The anger toward
blacks and the social tensions of the time culminated in the Civil War Draft Riots of 1863, the greatest civil
crisis in the history of New York City. The Union League Club of New York was formed 150 years ago to
support the Union cause in New York, and protect blacks from violence by Confederate sympathizers and
opponents of the draft. For more information on the Union League Club of New York, visit
http://www.unionleagueclub.org/
Civil War Draft Riots of 1863 Essay Contest Criteria:
All New York City Public High School Seniors are invited to research the Civil War Draft Riots of 1863 and
submit an original essay.
Essays submissions must address the following: “How New York City weathered the crisis of 1863”
 explain the events that transpired during the riots
 how the City responded
 the political and social significance of the riots, both at the time they occurred and later
Essay Format:
 No more than 2,000 words, typewritten and double-spaced
 Essays must have a minimum of five cited sources
 A list of citations and a bibliography is required, however, they will not be included in the word
count.
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One winner will be chosen to receive $2,000. The winner will be honored at a reception hosted by the
Union League Club of New York in February 2014. Students are encouraged to discuss the essay contest
with their English or Social Studies teacher and school librarian.
The winning essay will be graded on a thorough understanding of the topic, grammar, and spelling.
Please use the attached cover sheet and mail the original completed application including required
attachments for each candidate to:
ARLENE DOMINGUEZ
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
THE FUND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
52 CHAMBERS STREET RM. 305
NEW YORK, NY 10007
Deadline: December 16, 2013
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
Only finalists will be notified by the Selection Committee. If necessary, finalist interviews will be
scheduled for early January.
The Fund for Public Schools
The Fund for Public Schools is dedicated to improving New York City's public schools by attracting private
investment in school reform and encouraging greater involvement by all New Yorkers in the education of our children.
The Fund plays a pivotal role in improving public education in New York City by strengthening the New York City
Department of Education’s relationship with the private sector, securing funding for critical education reform
initiatives, helping businesses to create partnerships and programs that support city schools, and raising public
awareness about the public schools. The Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information
about The Fund for Public Schools, visit www.fundforpublicschools.org
The Union League Club of New York
The Union League Club can trace its beginnings back to the tumultuous days of 1863 when the country was being torn
apart by Civil War. In the North as well as the South, sectional spirit conflicted with national spirit. The founders saw
the need for an association of men to support the Unionist cause and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln.
Members of The Union League Club were instrumental in establishing The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1870 as
well as the Sanitary Commission, a predecessor organization to the American Red Cross. It helped erect the Statue of
Liberty in New York Harbor and the Lincoln Monument in Union Square. Its members were instrumental in bringing
down the “Boss” Tweed ring and in raising funds to outfit American soldiers in several conflicts. Many prominent
civic, state and national leaders have enjoyed the fellowship of the ULC. For more information about the Union
League Club of New York, visit www.unionleagueclub.org.
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Union League Club of New York:
Civil War Draft Riots of 1863 Essay Contest
Student should fill out this form and submit to the School Guidance Counselor for completion.
Deadline for receipt by The Fund for Public Schools is December 16, 2013, 5PM.
TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENT
Please print legibly.
High School: _____________________________________________________ District #_______________
High School Address: _______________________________________________________________________
Student’s Name: First _________________________________Last___________________________________
Male/Female (optional): __________________ Race/Ethnicity (optional):___________________________
Student’s Street Address: ____________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________________ State: _____________
Home Telephone: (
) _______---______________
Cell Phone (
Zip Code:_________
) _______---______________
E-mail Address:____________________________________________________________________________
Student’s Social Security Number (Optional): _______________--- _______________---________________
TO BE COMPLETED BY GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
High School Grade Point Average: _________________
Guidance Counselor Name: ____________________________
Guidance Counselor Email: ____________________________
Contact Number: (
) _______ - ___________
TO BE COMPLETED BY ENGLISH TEACHER OR AMERICAN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER
Teacher Endorsement: I believe this student is a good candidate for this award and recommend him/her for Civil
War Draft Riots of 1863 Essay Contest consideration.
Teacher Name (print) _____________________________________________________________________
Teacher Signature: ________________________________________________ (original signature required)
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TO BE COMPLETED BY PRINCIPAL
Principal Endorsement: I believe this student is a good candidate for this award and recommend him/her for
Civil War Draft Riots of 1863 Essay Contest consideration.
Principal Name (print) _____________________________________________________________________
Principal Signature: ________________________________________________ (original signature required)
CHECK LIST: PLEASE ATTACH TO THIS APPLICATION THE FOLLOWING
 Essay of about 2,000 words in response to: How New York City weathered the crisis of 1863
 Principal Signature
 English Teacher or American History/Social Studies Teacher Signature
 Guidance Counselor Contact Information
 Signed consent form to photograph, film or videotape.
Please direct any questions you may have about this application to:
Arlene Dominguez
New York City Department of Education
The Fund for Public Schools
52 Chambers Street RM. 305
New York, NY 10007
ADominguez2@schools.nyc.gov
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Union League Club of New York:
Civil War Draft Riots of 1863 Essay Contest
CONSENT TO PHOTOGRAPH, FILM OR VIDEOTAPE A STUDENT FOR NON-PROFIT USE
(e.g.: educational, public service or health awareness purposes)
Name of Student: ____________________________________________________________________________
School: _______________________________________________________________ Class: _______________
I, _________________________________________, hereby consent to the participation in interviews, the use of
(Print Parent or Guardian’s Name)
quotes, and the taking of photographs, movies or video tapes of my son/daughter and his/her school-related work
by The Fund for Public Schools and the Union League Club of New York.
I also grant to The Fund for Public Schools and the Union League Club of New York, the right to edit, use and
reuse said products for non-profit purposes. I also hereby release The Fund for Public Schools and the Union
League Club of New York and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever in
connection with the above.
_________________________________________________________
(Signature of Parent/Guardian)
________________________
(Date)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
(Address of Parent/Guardian)
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