Final answer:
The Civil War was regarded as a 'rich man's war, poor man's fight' in both the North and South due to the ability of wealthy individuals to avoid military service while poorer individuals were more likely to be drafted and sent to fight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Civil War was often regarded as a 'rich man's war, poor man's fight' in both the North and South. This means that wealthy individuals were able to avoid military service by paying for a substitute or obtaining an exemption, while poorer individuals were more likely to be drafted and sent to fight. In the North, the rich could pay a fee to hire a substitute or use political connections to secure an exemption. Similarly, in the South, wealthy plantation owners could avoid military service by hiring substitutes or serving in the Home Guard, leaving the poorer individuals to fight.
One example of this is the controversial draft riots that occurred in the North. In 1863, the federal government instituted a draft to increase military manpower. However, the draft was met with resistance and anger, particularly from the working-class population who saw it as an unfair burden placed on them. This led to violent riots in New York City, where the rioters targeted wealthy individuals and African Americans. The riots demonstrated the deep divide between the rich and poor in society and the resentment felt by those who were forced to fight.
In the South, the issue of exemptions and substitutes also fueled tensions between the wealthy and the poor. The government allowed exemptions for individuals who owned a certain number of slaves, which meant that wealthy plantation owners could avoid military service.