Irish+immigration+to+America

=Aim- Kathleen= The purpose of the Irish immigration to America in the 1850s was to leave the poor conditions of Ireland. At the time, there was a potato famine and outbreaks of diseases that devastated the Irish population. Once the Irish figured that their livelihood had been ruined, they sought ways of escaping it. The only way they could do this is by living in the land of opportunities: America. According to British Census Commissioners, “At the end of 1854, nearly two million people - about a quarter of the population - had emigrated to the United States in ten years” (“Irish Immigration”). The Irish “people” went to America because they wanted their freedom from the restraints of the land and of the British. They did not want to live as if they were a “quarter” of a person. Rather, they had to live for themselves in order to survive, and they could not do it in Ireland. What furthered their resolve was the reported “success” in America. There were numerous accounts from Irishmen that immigrated to America about their current lifestyle. One of them stated, “…Here the meanest labourer has beef and mutton, with bread, bacon, tea, coffee, sugar, and even pies, the whole year round-every day here is as good as Christmas day in Ireland” (“Irish and German Immigration”). This Irish man had the opportunity to travel west, where there were bountiful riches “year round.” Yet, most Irish immigrants were not able to experience “every day…as Christmas day” upon arrival because they were uneducated, unskilled, and poor. Their “whole” life revolved around the devastation and bitterness of Ireland, and this contributed to their hardships in America. The majority of the Irish lived in the Northern United States, where they were subjected to discrimination and social outcasting. Even though they experienced conditions just as horrendous as Ireland in America, they had more hope than ever. In Ireland, there was no sign of a successful future, yet America had glimmers of it across the country. Immigrating to America instilled in them aspiration for a better life, since they could witness the prosperity that America had to offer.

Works Cited “Irish and German Immigration.” //US History//. Independence Hall Association in Philadelphia, 1942. Web. 7 Jan. 2013. “Irish Immigration.” //Spartacus Educational//. Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd, n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2013.

=Audience - Luca=

The the Irish Immigration to America has meaning to us today because the demographic change that ensued has changed American Culture, industry, and law. Impacts that were made back then can still be seen today in several ways, one of which was the expansion of the West. The Irish immigrating to America, in the 1050's and onward, were largely seen as unskilled and they were willing to take any work at low wages, so it was easy to hire them to become laborers to build infrastructure in this country. "Thousands of Irish labourers worked on building the railroads in the United States" ("Irish Immigration"). This has had a lasting impact on everyone today because without the work that the Irish immigrants put into expanding the West and fueling our industries, we would not be where we are today in industry, wealth, population, or global importance. The Large spike in immigration of Irish people to America has also had an everlasting change to the way in which we deal with immigration to America now. The Irish contributed to the change in the system of immigration to this country do to the vast number of people that came from Ireland at the time. It forced a change in how we managed immigration, what our standards would be, and it contributed to the creation of an institution large enough to handle the demand, at this time Ellis Island. "New York was the principal entry point to the United States throughout the 19th century and on 3rd August 1855, a Board of Commissioners of Immigration opened the city's first immigrant reception station" (Santry). Ellis Island today is not functioning as an immigration center, however, The Irish Immigration has contributed and sould matter to Americans today because it explains why we do what we do today in regard to Immigration practices.

“Irish Immigration.” //Spartacus Educational//. Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd, n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2013. Santry, Claire. "Irish immigration to America 1846 to the early 20th century." // Irish Genealogy ToolKit //. Irish Genealogy Toolkit.com, n.d. Web. 8 Jan 2013.

=Historical - Abbey=

There is always a reason for Immigrating to America, specifically from Ireland. The Irish were escaping from famine, religious oppression, and over population in the small country of Ireland. Most of the immigrating people were predominantly catholic, fleeing from the protestants and Presbyterians When they arrived in America the religious oppression was greatly slacked, only to be discriminated for their lack of skills. The website, "Irish Genealogy Toolkit" designed by Claire Santry, wrote, "Of course, there were some who were blacksmiths, stonemasons, bootmakers and the like, but the majority had had no former formal training at anything" (Santry 1). Because of their lack of skills, no one wanted to hire them. If they were hired they were not paid much. "For 50 cents a day, they laid Boston's roads, tunnels, and subway tracks. Many died, leaving poverty-stricken widows and children. Women cleaned wealthy Bostonians' homes and tended their babies. Irish laborers did jobs others refused and expanded the town into a major city" (Levison).

Levinson, Cynthia “The Capital Of Irish America” Faces 24.7 (2008) Ebscohost Web. Jan 2013

Santry, Claire. "Irish immigration to America 1846 to the early 20th century." // Irish Genealogy ToolKit //. Irish Genealogy Toolkit.com, n.d. Web. 8 Jan 2013.

=Cultural - Beth= Since the arrival of the Irish to American shores, they were able to integrate with the development of the American society despite the original discrimination of their heritage. The Irish brought a new political say to America and invigorated it by embracing the democracy and voting leaders of they own in. In the article “The Capital of the Irish City”, Cynthia Levison d escribes how Irish immigrants influence politics and patriotism within American despite different heritage. She explains that at the time “**Irish** politicians were becoming powerful by providing jobs and charity to constituents in their wards in exchange for votes. One candidate even told his supporters on Election Day, "Vote early and vote often!” (Levison). The Irish were able to use their opportunity in America, despite the discrimination to overcome it through politics. They used the American system to vote someone in to change how they had been treated in both England and America and finally find relief in jobs and aid. The way the Irish were eventually able to integrate into the typical American society and are a prominent example of how heritage can define a culture but have identity of its new country. In the article “Why We’re The New Irish” the author reflects how politicians like Al Smith were prime examples of staying true to culture but incorporating into America. He clarifies “While never forgetting his ethnic roots, Smith broadened his outlook and became more politically independent, seeking allies in all corners of the state. Smith's political success helped normalize the image of the **Irish** as mainstream Americans throughout the Northeast” (Rodriguez). The influx of Irish descendents created basis for politicians to gain platform and rise in power but in order to normalize the idea of Irish. They were able to overcome hardships and become apart of the “mainstream” diverse culture the United States holds today. The Irish immigration to America did suffer hardships but lead to the normalization and acceptance of Irish culture in America.

Levinson, Cynthia “The Capital Of Irish America” Faces 24.7 (2008) Ebscohost Web. Jan 2013

Rodriguez, Gregory. “Why We’re The New Irish” Newsweek 145.22 (2005) Ebscohost Web 7 Jan 2013.