Anti-abolitionist riots (1834)

The riots against the emancipation of slaves in New York City were riots in New York, which occurred in four consecutive nights from 7 July 1834.

Causes

The unrest brought about by a combination of different causes. One of the reasons was the movement of nativism, in which Protestant members of the determinants in New York in industrial or commercial sectors of the population, the Eingeborenenen that before since the release of emigration by the British authorities for the majority of Catholic Irish fears of foreign domination by the immigrants had. Another reason was a growing opposition against the abolition of slavery in the United States fighting abolitionists and the fear of the growing immigration of free blacks in the city.

Expiration

The opponents of the abolitionists disrupted at the beginning of the troubles their meetings. In addition, offices, shops and homes were attacked and plundered by opponents of slavery, such as the house of Joshua Leavitt, manager of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Further attacks were the churches and homes of African Americans.

The riots in which up to 4,000 people took part, were inspired by a Flyer on which under other names and addresses were published by abolitionists. On July 11, 1834 said the mayor of New York, Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence, the Army for help, which was reinforced by volunteers. The seriousness of the insert was underlined by the issuance of live ammunition. After this auxiliary use to support the police, the city was calm again.