[Profile] - Section 4a: History (Discovery - Civil War)

[americasempire]

Discovery (1524-1600s)

The first person who took claim to the discovery of New York was an Italian explorer named Giovanni da Verrazzano, who visited the lower New York harbor in approximately 1524 while he was sailing up and down the coast of eastern North America. There is evidence to say that he was not the actual first person to discover the area that is now New York, but he is the man given most of the initial credit. However, even though he made this discovery for the Europeans, technically working for France, there was no attempt to settle until Henry Hudson, an Englishman but a representative of the East India Company, for the Netherlands, explored the river which today is named after him. The discovery of New York is usually then attributed most to him. Though during the latter years of the sixteenth century there really was little activity in the areas of New York, not enough to be referred to as any sort of viable expeditions, there is evidence to say that Europeans would trade with the Native Americans along what would be the Hudson River. They found the fur-trading business to be incredibly lucrative. Actually, there were French and English attempts to colonize the area, but none were very successful, even though France claimed some of the territory as “New France,” and Samuel de Champlain explored and claimed some of the northern regions of New York for the French. Hudson’s discoveries allowed the Dutch to create settlements after discovering the lucrative business ventures there, and thus much of the land was deemed ‘New Netherland,’ with eventually ‘New Amsterdam’ becoming the region’s greatest trading hub. Throughout the discovery process, there were plenty of skirmishes with the Native Americans, who originally had been welcoming and peaceful, though the Europeans had been suspicious of them.

Today, New York would have very little recollection of the details of these events, only vaguely remembering Verrazzano, Hudson, and de Champlain. Rather, it is the Netherlands himself, as his father country, that New York most remembers from that time when Europeans discovered him. Before this time, he was in the care of the Iroquois tribes that inhabited his area, but he remembers very little about staying with them, only incredibly vague shapes if anything.

Province of Nieuw Nederland (1609-1667)

Settled with the intention of exploiting the fur trading business with the Native Americans and also interested in the fertile land, the Dutch settlers crafted New Netherlands and its trading hub New Amsterdam to become an area rich in business. Effectively, the land essentially became a gateway between the Old and New Worlds, laying the foundation for New York to become the international power it would be in later years. The earliest settlements were established in around 1613, though there had been unsuccessful expeditions to try and settle years prior to that. In 1614, the first of the two Fort Nassaus were built, which served as a trading post. Later, in 1617, the Dutch would abandon this and would establish Fort Orange in 1624, which would later become Albany, New York.

It wouldn't be until 1624 when New Netherland became a province of the Dutch Republic. This arrangement was fortified when the Dutch landed families on Noten Eylant, or today's Governor's Island. In 1626, Peter Minuit became Director of the New Netherland. He was the man who bought Manhattan island from the Native Americans for what would be a mere $24 in today's American currency. This included approximately 22,000 acres of land, so each acre ended up being purchased at around $.001. New Amsterdam would be constructed on this island, and would later become the heart of New Netherland.

In 1647, Peter Stuyvesant became Director-General, and under his leadership New Netherland underwent lasting growth. He would serve as the last Director-General of New Netherland, as in 1664 the English wanted to annex the territory. They were at first met with no resistance, and Stuyvesant, realizing the great power of the British, signed treaties with them. He did assure that New Netherlanders would enjoy the same religious freedom that had been established in the province. This colonial charter officially, in the eyes of the British, renamed the province to New York (named after the Duke of York), though to settlers it was still New Netherland. This was formalized in 1667. However, the Dutch did not wish to give up that easily, and a few years later they recaptured New Netherland and would be at war with Great Britain. But they would eventually be defeated finally in 1674, and the Treaty of Westminster ended the Third Anglo-Dutch War, ending the dispute over what was then known as New York.

Throughout this time, the Dutch promoted religious freedom and civil liberties, and actually had an aura of secularism that would transcend into the later years of New York. The early years of business laid the foundation for New York to become the business hub that it remains today.

Michael Verrazzano, as was his name during this time, was a young, enthusiastic fur trader, often following people around and wanting to trade with them. He was close to yet independent of his father country, but admiring him all the same. At this time, the young New Netherland was completely unaware of religion, more interested in making money and promoting business in his area. He was very welcoming of newcomers, as he often met with people of different nationalities in the Old and New Worlds, and demonstrated several natural talents, first and foremost his business savy. When England annexed him, he was actually quite upset, as he did not wish to leave his father country, and was upset when the Netherlands lost the Third Anglo-Dutch War. It took him and his settlers a very long time to adjust to his new name - where he also went from Verrazzano to Campbell.

But, eventually he would develop a fondness for England that he did not think he would have when he was first annexed.

Province of New York (1664-1775)

The name New York was a tribute to James, Duke of York, who was the brother of Charles II of England. New Amsterdam too, underwent a name change, to New York City, after the territory was annexed to the British. However, he exercised little control, as he never even visited his colony. It would not be until 1685 when New York would become a royal province.

In 1665, the province of New Jersey was created from a portion of New York, and thus began a long quarrel between the two areas concerning territorial boundaries, not finishing until 1765 when the border line was finalized. The dispute escalated into skirmishes and raids between the two provinces beginning in 1701, a development known as the New York - New Jersey Line War. New York also had some territorial disputes with Connecticut, and especially with Vermont, whom New York and his settlers refused to recognize and saw as a portion of his territory. Some of these disputes escalated into violence, and would not be settled until later years.

The “Duke’s Laws” were the first set of English Laws in the colony, and established a non-denominational state church, and the English allowed dissenting Christian sects to settle, following the Dutch policy. In 1683, the first colonial Assembly was established; New York was the last of the colonies to receive one. However, regardless of being the last to receive an Assembly, New York was the first colony to pass a Constitution, hereby giving his citizens more rights than any others in the other colonies.

From 1689-1691, there was an uprising in the province known as Leisler's Rebellion, in which colonists, angry with King James II, took control of lower New York. However, order was restored in 1691, and New York's charter was reinstated. This charter would act as the Constitution until New York would later break away in 1775. New York would later fight in King George's War. At first, New York was reluctant to fight, because a significant commitment to war would disrupt trade with Quebec and would be bad for business. However, after the French destroyed Saratoga, New York and his bosses were more than happy to contribute much more generously to the war.

In the French and Indian War, upstate New York was the scene for much of the fighting. The war caused a severe recession for the province, who would feel its effects long through the different acts England would pass in order to pay for the war. As the acts were passed, New York became a strong leading voice against what he and his citizens saw as unjust policies forced upon them without representation. His opposition to the Stamp Act especially was active and determined, as he wanted to see it repealed. However after refusing trade with the British Empire, there was a political battle between the Sons of Liberty, who opposed any sort of trade with Britain, and the merchants in New York, who saw that doing so would be detrimental to business, especially after the repeal of the Townshed Duties. Often times, the merchants would hold out, and New York was actually split between how he felt about England as a result.

When the Assembly met concerning the First Continental Congress, New York was the only colony to disapprove of the proceedings. Regardless of this, however, New York became more and more agitated with England, even fighting him in the Battle of Golden Hill in 1770, which was considered one of the beginning skirmishes of the Revolution along with the Boston Massacre. Later he would send petitions to London with the rest of the colonies, in an effort to get England to agree to their demands. When London and England refused, New York would set up the New York Provincial Congress to replace the Assembly and then later sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It would be then where New York would go to war against Great Britain in the Revolutionary War.

Throughout this time, Michael was growing up, going from the energetic fur trader he was in the beginning, still upset over losing the Netherlands, to a slightly more egotistical yet mature young man with a keen eye for business. He was actually rather fond of England, except on several occasions, and regardless of his sympathy for the patriots in his area, New York himself was much more prone to looking at things from a business sense: What money would be lost; how profitable would that be? Although he was a main hub for rebel voices against England, he was hesitant at first; later he would become more enthusiastic and active, rising with Massachusetts as two of the main speakers against English oppression. He was used to little governance from England, so to see a change in that with all the Acts made him unhappy. However, he would then be split during the first few years of the Revolution. During this time he also developed a strong rivalry or even dislike for most of his neighbors, especially New Jersey. He wasn't fond of Massachusetts either, regardless of their shared patriotic ideals, because of her religious persecution, as he saw it.

The American Revolution (1775-1783)

Regardless of any loyalist ties he had before, by the time New York signed the Declaration of Independence, he was fully committed to going to war against Great Britain. And it would show throughout the war too; the majority of battles throughout the Revolution would be fought on New York's territory. After the British were unsuccessful in their attempted seizure of Boston, General Washington realized what the next target of their enemies would be. However, he did not realize the expediency with which England would recuperate. After Britain's generals recognized Boston was lost to them, they immediately set out on a bigger goal: New York City and Long Island.

In July 1776, only a few months after they were expelled from Boston, the British landed on Staten Island. There, for a month, under the command of General William Howe, they reinforced their troops and ships, fortifying their numbers. Washington, believing Manhattan to be the next target, placed most troops there. However, it would be Long Island that would be attacked first. In August of 1776, in the largest battle of the Revolution, and also the first battle in which the United States fought as a declared nation, America and New York engaged Great Britain in the Battle of Long Island. Unfortunately, Washington and the American troops would decisively lose, having been outnumbered and outmatched, and would be pushed back to New York City. Retreating to Manhattan, Washington was lucky to have not been surrounded, though General Howe's troops quickly took control of the island. The Americans would later retreat to White Plains, but in the Battle of White Plains, would again be defeated. The British would then capture Fort Washington while the American troops would cross the Hudson and retreat into New Jersey, leaving New York City and downstate New York effectively in British hands. Throughout the battles, the city was burned down, making New York suffer a great blow to his heart, both physically and emotionally.

And it was at this time when New York himself split into Upstate and Downstate. Downstate, under British control, became the main base of British operations, and many Loyalists fled to the city. Although he donned a redcoat and effectively became loyalist throughout the rest of the war, due to the influence of people living in his area, Downstate would not fight in any more battles. But, he was somewhat depressed regardless of his leanings, and throughout the rest of the war, along with England, effectively and intentionally neglected colonial prisoners that were being held in prison ships on Wallabout Bay. This neglect would cause more deaths than any of the battles combined. It would not be until 1783 - the end of the war - when Downstate was liberated from British troops on Evacuation Day, and New York would go back to being one again.

While Downstate remained in British hands, Upstate mobilized and became a strong force for American troops. The State Government, created to replace the Provincial Congress, fled throughout Upstate New York as the true government of the territory. Upstate, who proved himself to be a determined and effective soldier, would clash with the British several times, but none more effective than in the famous Battle of Saratoga in 1777. After that battle, which ended with a strong American victory, France and Spain became committed to America's cause. It was instrumental in bringing in France as an ally, and Spain in contributing to the United States against England. Overall, it was, and is regarded as, the focal turning point in the Revolution without which the colonists most likely would not have succeeded in breaking away from Great Britain.

In 1780, the American traitor, Benedict Arnold, was in command of the fort at West Point. However, he was unsuccessful in surrendering it to the British, which was another important victory for the Americans because it kept England from obtaining control over the Hudson River, an key strategic location to hold.

It would not be until after the signing of the Treaty of Paris following the Battle of Yorktown in Virginia when Downstate was returned to America. When the British left, Downstate and Upstate would merge to form New York once again, who had a new found adoration - and love - for his new country.

The Articles of Confederation, the Birth of the Constitution, and Early Settlement (1781-1812)

Although the Articles of Confederation was agreed to in 1777, it did not go into effect until 1781, mostly because Maryland had issues with New York (and Virginia) concerning some land, and would not agree to it until then. After that state signed, it was ratified, but New York personally was slightly hesitant about that particular mode of government they all agreed on. Yes, while he signed, sending the delegates James Duane, Francis Lewis, William Duer, and Gouverneur Morris to represent him, he was often more convinced of the words of one of his leaders, Alexander Hamilton, who greatly criticized the Articles for not giving enough power to the central government. New York was quite a fan on Hamilton, especially after he founded the Bank of New York, which remains to be the longest running banking organization in the United States. Also during this time, some of the Sons of Liberty, who were revived, would gain seats to the Congress of the Confederation as representatives from New York, and would enact several anti-Loyalist laws in efforts to expel them from the state.

When it was decided that the Articles were a failure, New York sent Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing, and Robert Yates, as per the wishes of his first boss and governor, George Clinton, to the Constitutional Convention. Again, New York himself felt very torn, for although Hamilton advocated for a strong central government, Lansing and Yates opposed it, and though New York liked Hamilton, he was on the fence about that particular idea. In fact, those two decided New York's vote, and even left the Convention in protest. Hamilton drafted his own plan, different from the New Jersey and Virginia plans, but it was decided that it was too close like the British system of government, and so it was not voted on.

After the Constitution was signed, it would take some time before New York would ratify it. Hamilton, along with John Jay, another New Yorker, and James Madison, would write the 85 Federalist papers supporting ratification of the Constitution. New York's ratification was seen as essential, and until his signing, it was unknown whether or not the new plan would succeed in overturning the Articles of Confederation or not. And when he did ratify the new government, it came with a statement of rights and several suggested changes.

New York City would become the first place the new United States Congress would meet, as well as the site for the first inauguration, as the first capital of America under the Constitution. Meanwhile, New York would begin settling more upstate, especially in the Adirondack area. Under his second governor, John Jay, he would see a law signed to emancipate slaves in his state signed in 1799, though it wouldn't be until years later, due to the gradual process, when all slaves were free in his area. Since 1785, the New York Manumission Society, an abolitionist group, gained much influence in New York, who began to see slavery as an evil institution that he would adamantly oppose especially in later years. Also during this time, New York began to emerge as a state leader in transportation revolution with the establishment of the Seneca Turnpike.

The War of 1812 (1812-1815)

When news of the possibility of a second war against Great Britain and British North America (Canada) arrived, New York was again divided. While he did not want to go to war with Canada, as he was a lucrative trading partner, New York also realized that his city, along with the city of New Orleans, would be the main targets of the British military. When the embargo was established in efforts to protect the trading rights of the United States, New York, unlike several other states, did not want this embargo to be a synonym for preparation of war. Instead, New York advocated for the continuation of this embargo as an alternate route to take instead of going to war. In this sense, he often went along with the views of New England; Rhode Island at the time was one of the strongest voices against going to war with Britain, and New York respected that greatly.

Unfortunately, New York received word that the Senate declared war on Britain on Jule 18th, 1812. He set out to preparing immediately; regardless of how he felt, if America wished to go to war, then he would make sure that he was by his country's side. While some charges were made that New York was less than energetic in preparations, the state answered with the fact that New York expended more revenue on war supplies and soldiers than all other states, and could most likely furnish more of the implements of war by himself than all the other states put together. Simply speaking, New York was a powerhouse, financially and militarily, one that should not be underestimated. New York was expected to raise more money for strongholds in and around his city, hoping that would strengthen the otherwise defenseless position that he found himself in. Although he received militia from New Jersey, New York and his city were expected to raise all the funding, at the promise that the national government would reimburse him. However, he did not get the militia he wanted, and Congress would not appropriate him the necessary funds to properly defend the city. Upstate had only a slightly better situation than the city, which was worrisome due to the constant talks about the invasion and capture of Canada.

New York was constantly open to attack, and was often on the receiving end of British advances. Several of his cities, including Buffalo, were burned, and Forts, like Fort Niagara, were captured. However, he was crucial in the navy aspect of the war, housing several navy sites in which America was slightly more successful than he was on land. The Battle of Plattsburgh ended up being a victory that America and New York desperately needed, causing the British to retreat back up north when they had been heading into the southern regions. New York had been able to thwart any attempts to capture his city, and was happy to hear that New Orleans had been able to do the very same thing in the South. But, at that same time, he and America were unable to seize any parts of Canada, and so the war was at a stalemate for some time. But, this might have been a good thing; the end of the war with no territorial gains prompted peaceful settlements to boundary disputes, and New York would eventually find Canada to be again his best trading partner and a neighbor that he was, and remains to be, very fond of.

Before the war had ended, the states of New England, unhappy with America's position and convinced that he was going to lose, met at the Hartford Convention. There, they discussed several proposed changes to the Constitution as well as the possibility of seceding from the United States. However, in order to do this, they knew that they would need support from New York, and wanted him to join their cause. At the time, New York, who was fighting a war pretty much on the front lines and optimistic about America's goals regardless of any losses he was facing, had but a very small part in these talks, opposing them completely, even just small proposed Amendments to restrict the national government's ability to decide when to do to war. He developed a distance between himself and New England, whom he, although agreed a lot of times with politically, did not see himself as a part of, nor did he wish to be so. On a personal level, this was when New York developed a dislike and distrust of the New England states, especially Massachusetts, whom he saw as a traitor for a long time. And, just because of his minimalist part in the Convention, even if it was opposition, New York felt enormously guilty, and despite the hardships of war brought upon him, pronounced his absolute loyalty to America and the National Government.

The Building of the Erie Canal (1816-1825)

Already emerging as a financial and resourceful powerhouse thanks to the rapid expansion of New York City as well as his expanding roads (even with as undeveloped as roads were in this time period), New York began plans for what would be one of his greatest achievements: the Erie Canal. Prior to this canal, the northern areas of New York were very swampy, making it almost impossible to travel through them. This canal would fix that problem. New York's governor at the time, DeWitt Clinton, would be the man most responsible for the canal's construction. Building began in 1817, and would continue through 1821, and the canal would be complete and opened in 1825. The canal would be the first connection between the east and New York City, to the mid-Western Great Lakes, and would serve to cut transportation costs.

There were some problems with construction, and people did not believe that the canal would be finished for several years after it opened. There were problems with finding labor, felling trees that impeded the process, and, as there were no civil engineers, amateur engineers were overseeing the plans. At points, people even referred to the canal as "Clinton's Ditch" or "Clinton's Folly." However, as the canal was built, and more people flocked to the area, more workers were found who could aid in the canal's construction. Thus, the rate at which the canal was being built increased exponentially, even as many workers unfortunately fell ill and died during the development.

When the canal was finished, it would have an amazing impact, not only on New York as a state, but also on America as a whole. It was genius, and drew business and people to New York almost immediately, taking competition away from such cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore. Thus, New York developed as a financial empire, drawing in more immigrants and money than he even had previously, adding more weight to his nickname, the "Empire State." Other states drafted plans to built canals in attempt to bring back business to their areas, thus, the Erie Canal spurred more competition and development all across the nation. However, New York had the competitive advantage overall, especially considering he developed as an international trading site, even bringing America closer to Europe and Britain, as well as Canada, increasing trade between the new United States and these other nations. Also, New York's canal opened up the mid-West for development, since the port of New York became the Atlantic home port for the mid-West and the canal rendered the Appalachian Mountains no longer a geographical barrier. Thus, New York's contribution effectively allowed America to expand further out and gain new states.

Leading up to the Civil War - Industrialization and the Center of Reform Movements (1826-1860)

During the time before the Civil War, New York emerged as a leader in the industrial, transportation, agricultural, and urban revolutions. With better expanding roads and modes of transportation, including ferries and railroads, New York continued to grow as a cultural and financial capital, as people continued to move to his area for better opportunities than they would have elsewhere. In 1953 he would build the New York Central Railroad, which would serve most of the Northeastern United States, as well as some of Canada. This railroad would continue New York’s influence and increase his financial capabilities. His farmlands were incredible producers, especially in grain, and he exported that good to everywhere in the country. As this was a time of great urban growth, New York’s cities expanded at an even faster pace than those of the rest of the nation, especially his main city, helping to build the blocks for what would eventually become “the Capital of the World.” With immigrants increasingly flowing into New York more than into the other states in America, he began the development of a melting pot of different people all coming together in one area, each voicing their own opinions and starting up new movements all across the state.

The Second Great Awakening actually had great followers in upstate New York, though downstate remained somewhat more secular. Known as the “Burned-Over District,” those in upstate became more evangelized, and reform movements spread all over the area. Abolition, women’s rights, benevolent reform movements, temperance movements, and even utopian societies such as Oneida and Skaneateles found homes all over New York’s upstate region. Out of this area devoted to radical reform, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the mother of the women’s rights movements, campaigned for women’s suffrage, holding the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. There, she and others drafted the Declaration of Sentiments, modeled after the Declaration of Independence, detailing the rights of women as equal to men, especially in voting. Although this was during a time where the traditional was valued, New York himself held Cady Stanton in extremely high regard, and began to wish for more women’s rights, seeing them as equal to men, though some of his bosses would disagree and delay this reform for several decades.

In 1837, New York’s ninth governor, Martin Van Buren, was elected into office as President, making him the first President from New York. However, Van Buren would only serve for one term, making New York somewhat disappointed, even if he was not all too happy with some of the policies Van Buren enacted during his four years in office.

During this time, New York would also become one of the leading voices of the abolitionist movement, especially in his cities. With the full emancipation of former slaves in his region, New York condemned the continued practice of slavery all across the nation, and vouched, not only for its containment, but also for its elimination everywhere. He found his city especially to be the site where slaves from the South would escape to, and he would, if he could, refuse their return to slavery if demanded for. Such a man was Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery to New York City, and became a leading voice of the abolitionist and women’s rights movements. New York followed many things that this influential man had to say, and admired him greatly for all the things that he did. Also, New York was the headquarters of the American Anti-Slavery Society, a key abolitionist society in the United States at the time.

When the Mexican War broke out, New York was not too happy; although he sent very experienced generals, who did very well in battle, to the war, he did not send many troops. He had been against the war entirely, as he had been one of the loudest voices against Texas being annexed to the United States. The reason for this opposition was simply because he did not want the South to gain a hold of another slave-owning state; he knew Texas would bring more slavery into the Union, and as an abolitionist he wanted this type of system to be contained and eradicated. Having Texas annexed to the United States was a huge setback for New York, who would then go on to advocate strongly for the admission of California as a free state. During this time, New York hated a lot of the Supreme Court rulings, such as the Dred Scott case that said that Congress could not ban slavery in any of the states, and would continue the debate arguing for the abolition of slavery everywhere.

Throughout these times, New York found himself emerging as the leading state of the Union, and as so, this was primarily when he personally became even more egotistical and proud. Strong and wealthy, New York knew that he was the state America relied on the most, as well as the state that was in front of everyone else in terms of capabilities and opportunities. People loved him, for he gave them those prospects that they would fail to find elsewhere. Though, at this time he also became more and more of a perfectionist and a workaholic, as well as an even stronger speaker, with his voice and the voices of his citizens carrying throughout the nation louder than those of the other states. He was the center of reform, and became more interested in the idea of true equality than he ever had been in the past.

When Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860, New York was pleased, though not ecstatic, surprisingly. Although a majority of his popular vote went to Lincoln, he knew that the new President would most likely bring war upon the nation, between the states. And, even though he was more than familiar with the idea of war, knowing that as the leading state, the most populous and the wealthiest, he did not like the inevitable idea that he would have to pay the most for whatever happened. Thus, he did not want to make any preemptive move against the Southern states militarily, though waited for anything to happen, in which he would do anything to prevent the destruction of his beloved nation when the time came for it.

The Civil War (1861-1865)

New York’s support would prove absolutely vital during the years of the Civil War for the Union forces. As the most populous and most resourceful state in the country, New York provided the Union with more men, money, and materials than any others, and served as the North’s economic center throughout the war. In essence, New York was central to the North winning the war due to his massive contributions, regardless of the fact that no actual battles took place in his territory.

Overall, at first it was very difficult for New York to try and understand why the Southern states who were part of the thirteen colonies would wish to secede from the government they helped build. And, even furthermore, as an abolitionist, it was astonishing to him that people would actually go to war over such an atrocious issue such as slavery. While yes, he was aware that the South was fighting under the banner of state’s rights, he could not understand why anyone would want to even keep slavery in the first place. And so, that, coupled with his love for the Union, made him pour as much as he could into the war to ensure the North’s victory, regardless that he personally would have rather avoided a war altogether, due to the financial burden it would prove to be on himself and his citizens. But once war was upon him, he and his people immediately ran to defend America, much to the dismay of the South, who believed because of his commercial activity that he would remain either neutral or opposed to any war. Some of the South also had hoped New York would act as a mediator, since he drew his influences from all over, but alas, this too proved to be a futile hope on their part.

Even President Lincoln noted that New York would bear the brunt of supplying the most forces, even observing in a journal entry that “Upon New York will devolve the chief burden of providing ways and means for the war; our financial community accept the duty and will perform it…” New York was expected, as the financial center of America, to provide for the Northern forces more than any others. He was also expected to convey more troops than anyone else; which in the beginning was no problem and easily done. As a soldier, New York was determined to defend Washington D.C. as well, knowing that the South would be looking to capture the capital, and people recognized that New York was the best means of preserving the government that they had established over the years.

Hatred for New York spread rapidly in the press of the South, seeing him as purely interested in the economic motives that he would derive at the end of the war. He was almost seen as a pirate, in a way; a pillager who wanted to exploit the Southern states for his own personal gain. A newfound loathing for the Empire State was found in the hearts of Southerners, one that they did not really have previously. Unbeknownst to them, however, New York and his civilians had pretty much stripped themselves of the merchant clothing in favor of soldiers’ uniforms, and only death, not monetary incentives, would stop them from trying to preserve the Union. New York City especially became a military and patriotic city, and the state found himself leading the Union forces, bearing the heaviest burdens of the nation while living up to his name of the Empire State.

New York’s troops were found everywhere on the battlefronts, and he supplied many more forces to the Union than any other state. Thus, he would lose more men during the war than any other state, both out of the Northern and Southern forces. New York went into a “total war” psyche, where the battle took precedent over all other interests all across the state. He even turned over hospitals, barracks, and other facilities to the United States authorities for the time.

Unfortunately, as the war waged on, there came with it a shortage of men, and so Congress enacted the draft in order to ensure that the Union would continue to have as many troops as was needed to defeat the South. And in 1863, due to these drafts, there was a serious riot in New York City. These Draft Riots were, aside from the Civil War itself, the largest civil insurrection America has witnessed. Mostly, these people were upset with the provision that people could pay to get out of service, believing that it was unfair to the poorer classes. President Lincoln sent troops in to quell the rioting, but it was not without cost: the riots lasted from July 13th to July 16th, and during that time more 120 people were killed and many more injured before the insurrection was crushed.

By the time the war ended, New York had seen many of his civilians killed, but many in battle had displayed heroic acts of patriotism. He would suffer the most losses out of all the states in the war, having supplied the most troops and generals. New York carried the Union to victory, in finance, military, and patriotism. He shouldered the burdens of the North as the strongest state, and was proud to do so during America’s time of need, and was more than happy to see the Union restored at the war’s end.

Profile: Continued...

Section 1 - The Facts
Section 2 - Appearance
Section 3 - Personality
Section 4b - History Part b: Gilded Age - Present