The Experience of the Irish The Experience of the Irish Immigrant in AmericaImmigrant in America

The perseverance of The perseverance of the Irish in the the Irish in the search for a better search for a better life of liberty, life of liberty, opportunity, and opportunity, and equalityequality

Colonial AmericaColonial America

• Irish population in America Irish population in America was second in number only was second in number only to the Englishto the English

• Most early immigrants were Most early immigrants were of “Scotch-Irish” originsof “Scotch-Irish” origins• Irish Catholics arrived in Irish Catholics arrived in

small, but significant numberssmall, but significant numbers

• Numbers immigrating Numbers immigrating variedvaried• Depended on increase or Depended on increase or

decrease in Irish prosperitydecrease in Irish prosperity• Irish economy tied to EnglandIrish economy tied to England• Downswings in English Downswings in English

economy exaggerated in economy exaggerated in IrelandIreland

Who Are the Scotch-Irish?Who Are the Scotch-Irish?• "Scots-Irish" refers to"Scots-Irish" refers to

• Settlers who were born in or Settlers who were born in or resided in Ireland resided in Ireland

• Whose earlier origins were Whose earlier origins were in Scotlandin Scotland

• Also called "Ulster Scots," Also called "Ulster Scots," and "Irish Presbyterians” and "Irish Presbyterians”

• Left Ireland because ofLeft Ireland because of• Religious conflictsReligious conflicts• Lack of political autonomy Lack of political autonomy • Dire economic conditions Dire economic conditions

• Large scale immigration Large scale immigration • Began in 1718Began in 1718• Stopped during RevolutionStopped during Revolution• Resumed in reduced Resumed in reduced

numbers after 1789numbers after 1789

Irish PresbyteriansIrish Presbyterians

• Most Scotch-Irish settled in Most Scotch-Irish settled in the middle coloniesthe middle colonies• Philadelphia was a major port Philadelphia was a major port

of debarkationof debarkation

• Scotch-Irish settled inScotch-Irish settled in • All 13 coloniesAll 13 colonies• Many moved on to Kentucky Many moved on to Kentucky

and Tennessee via North and Tennessee via North CarolinaCarolina

• Most Scotch-Irish Most Scotch-Irish immigrants were educated, immigrants were educated, skilled workers skilled workers

• Presidents Andrew Jackson Presidents Andrew Jackson and Ronald Reagan were of and Ronald Reagan were of Scotch-Irish AncestryScotch-Irish Ancestry

Catholic ImmigrationCatholic Immigration

• Immigration of Irish Catholics Immigration of Irish Catholics increased after the American increased after the American RevolutionRevolution

• Lack of legal rights for CatholicsLack of legal rights for Catholics• Denied land ownershipDenied land ownership• Lived on land only as tenantsLived on land only as tenants• No legal standing in Irish courtsNo legal standing in Irish courts

• During downswings in English During downswings in English economy economy • Surplus goods dumped in IrelandSurplus goods dumped in Ireland• Irish skilled and mercantile classes Irish skilled and mercantile classes

were ruinedwere ruined• Many homeless - tenants evicted Many homeless - tenants evicted

when unable to pay rentwhen unable to pay rent

Exodus From IrelandExodus From Ireland

• Irish immigration increased rapidly after 1820Irish immigration increased rapidly after 1820• Living conditions in Ireland were deplorableLiving conditions in Ireland were deplorable• The 1845 Potato Blight was not the first famine, The 1845 Potato Blight was not the first famine,

but the culmination of five years of crop failuresbut the culmination of five years of crop failures• Numerous other serious, regional and island Numerous other serious, regional and island

wide famines had occurred before the 1840’swide famines had occurred before the 1840’s

Irish Flood to AmericaIrish Flood to America

• Between 1820 and 1860, the Irish composed over Between 1820 and 1860, the Irish composed over one-third of all arrivals in Americaone-third of all arrivals in America

• Population in Ireland due to starvation and Population in Ireland due to starvation and immigration declinedimmigration declined• From 8.1 million in 1841 to 4.7 million in 1891From 8.1 million in 1841 to 4.7 million in 1891• Four and one-half million Irish came to America in 19Four and one-half million Irish came to America in 19thth

CenturyCentury

Land of Opportunity?Land of Opportunity?

• Often entered the workforce at Often entered the workforce at the bottom of the the bottom of the occupational ladder occupational ladder

• Endured fierce competition to Endured fierce competition to obtain low-paying, menial and obtain low-paying, menial and dangerous jobs dangerous jobs • Building railroadsBuilding railroads• Mining coalMining coal• Digging canalsDigging canals

• Many women became Many women became servants or domestic workers servants or domestic workers

• Railroad construction was so Railroad construction was so dangerous it was said, “an dangerous it was said, “an Irishman [was] buried under Irishman [was] buried under every tie”every tie”

Living ConditionsLiving Conditions• Many immigrants found Many immigrants found

themselves unprepared for themselves unprepared for industrialized, urban centers industrialized, urban centers

• Most were destitute – forced to Most were destitute – forced to settle in ports of debarkation settle in ports of debarkation • Often crowded into subdivided Often crowded into subdivided

homes that were intended for homes that were intended for single familiessingle families

• Cellars, attics and make-do spaces Cellars, attics and make-do spaces in alleys became homein alleys became home

• Lacked adequate sanitation and Lacked adequate sanitation and running waterrunning water

• Cholera, typhus, tuberculosis, Cholera, typhus, tuberculosis, and mental illness became and mental illness became rampantrampant

Conflict and DiscriminationConflict and Discrimination • Verbal assaults and mob violence Verbal assaults and mob violence

were common due to:were common due to:• Poor living conditions of the IrishPoor living conditions of the Irish• Their willingness to work for low wages Their willingness to work for low wages • Long standing religious tension Long standing religious tension

between Irish Catholics and Protestantsbetween Irish Catholics and Protestants• Replacing of native-born workers with Replacing of native-born workers with

lower paid Irishlower paid Irish • Anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic Anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic

sentiments in the 1840s produced sentiments in the 1840s produced groups such as the American Party groups such as the American Party – “The Know Nothings”– “The Know Nothings”• Fought foreign influences Fought foreign influences • Committed to "…elect to all offices, …no Committed to "…elect to all offices, …no

one but native born citizens of America, one but native born citizens of America, …to the exclusion of all Foreigners, and …to the exclusion of all Foreigners, and to all Roman Catholics, whether they be to all Roman Catholics, whether they be of native or Foreign Birth…of native or Foreign Birth…

• Nominated Millard Fillmore for president Nominated Millard Fillmore for president in 1856 in 1856

AssimilationAssimilation• Over time, many Irish climbed Over time, many Irish climbed

occupational and social laddersoccupational and social ladders• Often through politically appointed Often through politically appointed

positions such as policeman, fireman, positions such as policeman, fireman, and teacherand teacher

• Second and third generation Irish Second and third generation Irish were better educated, wealthier, were better educated, wealthier, and more successful than were and more successful than were their parents and grandparentstheir parents and grandparents

• The ultimate example was the The ultimate example was the Kennedy familyKennedy family• The first Kennedy who arrived in the The first Kennedy who arrived in the

United States in 1848 was a laborerUnited States in 1848 was a laborer• His son had modest success in this His son had modest success in this

countrycountry• His grandson, college educated His grandson, college educated

Joseph P. Kennedy, became a Joseph P. Kennedy, became a millionairemillionaire

• And his great-grandson, John F. And his great-grandson, John F. Kennedy, became presidentKennedy, became president

Irish Political InfluenceIrish Political Influence• Subjugation and strife gave rise Subjugation and strife gave rise

to an unmistakable Irish to an unmistakable Irish identity and a sense of identity and a sense of cohesion cohesion (in Ireland and America)(in Ireland and America)

• Became a powerful political Became a powerful political forceforce– Huge numbers lived in U.S. citiesHuge numbers lived in U.S. cities– Excellent organizational abilityExcellent organizational ability

• Transformed politics in citiesTransformed politics in cities– Put power in the hands of men of Put power in the hands of men of

working class origin working class origin – Political machines built on loyalty Political machines built on loyalty

to the individual and the to the individual and the organizationorganization

• Influence resulted in increased Influence resulted in increased power for the Democratic Party power for the Democratic Party as well as the Catholic Churchas well as the Catholic Church

The Five Points RiotThe Five Points Riot

• In 1857, the Republican-controlled In 1857, the Republican-controlled New York State Assembly New York State Assembly attempted to force “genteel” attempted to force “genteel” behavior on the Irishbehavior on the Irish– Disbanded the New York City Disbanded the New York City

police department police department – Created Metropolitan Police Created Metropolitan Police

(answered only to state assembly)(answered only to state assembly)– Reduced the number of licensed Reduced the number of licensed

saloons, limited the amount a person could drink, and closed all saloons, limited the amount a person could drink, and closed all saloons on Sundayssaloons on Sundays

• Many Irish working people saw this as a direct attackMany Irish working people saw this as a direct attack• Riot broke out on July 4Riot broke out on July 4thth – Irish led by gang known as “Dead – Irish led by gang known as “Dead

Rabbits” – there opponents were the Metropolitan Police and Rabbits” – there opponents were the Metropolitan Police and the “Bowery Boys” (a “native” gang)the “Bowery Boys” (a “native” gang)

The Irish BrigadeThe Irish Brigade• In late 1861, Thomas Francis Meagher In late 1861, Thomas Francis Meagher

organized a group of Irish volunteers organized a group of Irish volunteers into the Union Armyinto the Union Army

• Brigade was formed fromBrigade was formed from• The 63The 63rdrd, 69, 69thth, and 88, and 88thth New York New York

Volunteer Infantry RegimentsVolunteer Infantry Regiments• Later augmented by the 28Later augmented by the 28thth

Massachusetts, and 116Massachusetts, and 116thth PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

• Meagher was appointed Brigadier Meagher was appointed Brigadier General commanding February 5, General commanding February 5, 18621862

• Fought with great distinction at Fought with great distinction at • Antietem, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Antietem, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg,

Chancellorsville, and many others Chancellorsville, and many others • Over 4,000 officers and men were lost Over 4,000 officers and men were lost

in four years of combat – more than in four years of combat – more than the total enrolled in the brigade at any the total enrolled in the brigade at any one timeone time

• Eleven members were awarded the Eleven members were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor Congressional Medal of Honor

The monument to the Irish Brigade at Gettysburg

Draft RiotsDraft Riots

• Violence broke out in several major Violence broke out in several major Northern Cities Northern Cities

• Worst riots in New York City with over Worst riots in New York City with over 100 killed100 killed

• Combat troops used to quell riotsCombat troops used to quell riots• The Conscription Act of 1863 subjected The Conscription Act of 1863 subjected

all white men from 20 to 45 years of age all white men from 20 to 45 years of age to the draftto the draft

• In practice draft only affected poor - In practice draft only affected poor - those with money could get a those with money could get a substitute or a defermentsubstitute or a deferment

• African-Americans took brunt of African-Americans took brunt of violence during riots violence during riots • Competition for same jobs as poor Competition for same jobs as poor

whites (par. Irish) caused racial tension whites (par. Irish) caused racial tension • Blacks exempt from draftBlacks exempt from draft

Molly MaguiresMolly Maguires

• Subjugation of the Irish often led to the use Subjugation of the Irish often led to the use clandestine means to fight injustice clandestine means to fight injustice

• Movement began in early 18Movement began in early 18thth Century Ireland Century Ireland• Named for an unfairly evicted widow Named for an unfairly evicted widow • Mollies would dress up as women, rob and Mollies would dress up as women, rob and

sometimes kill landlordssometimes kill landlords

Molly MaguiresMolly Maguires• Reached peak in America about 1870Reached peak in America about 1870

• After a six month strike in Mauch Chunk, PAAfter a six month strike in Mauch Chunk, PA• Workers forced back at reduced wagesWorkers forced back at reduced wages• First coal miner’s union – the WBA - outlawedFirst coal miner’s union – the WBA - outlawed

• Operated mostly in West Pennsylvania coal fieldsOperated mostly in West Pennsylvania coal fields

• Used violence to avenge abuses by mine ownersUsed violence to avenge abuses by mine owners

To Be a Molly Maguire:To Be a Molly Maguire:You had to be IrishYou had to be IrishYou had to be CatholicYou had to be CatholicYou likely worked in a mineYou likely worked in a mineYou were probably a You were probably a member of the AOH (Themember of the AOH (The Ancient Order of Hiberians)Ancient Order of Hiberians)

ConclusionConclusion

The Irish immigrants changed America, just as The Irish immigrants changed America, just as they were changed by it. They have been they were changed by it. They have been coming since before the United States was coming since before the United States was founded and have assimilated into its founded and have assimilated into its mainstream. Their achievements and mainstream. Their achievements and contributions have been great in spite of great contributions have been great in spite of great adversity. Yet, they still retain pride and adversity. Yet, they still retain pride and identity in their Irish heritage. identity in their Irish heritage.

IllustrationsIllustrations

Frame 1 www.loc.gov 29avc.jpgFrame 2 www.ailf.org immigrant.jpgFrame 3 clevelandmemory.org DepartureFromHome-pg37b.jpgFrame 4 www.zonezero.com [An Irish settler in New York, 1850s]-132.jpgFrame 5 faculty.uml.edu entrie1.gifFrame 6 www.nyhistory.org 5Points.gifFrame 7 www.italconsulnyc.org Ellis%20Island%203.jpg (Ellis Island 1905)Frame 8 edition.cnn.com railroad.large.jpgFrame 9 www.graphicwitness.org pkmix.jpgFrame 10 memory.loc.gov knownoth.jpgFrame 11 www.alleghany.k12nc.us harrland[Irish_Brigade].gif (Irish Brigade Officers)Frame 12 www.shell.linux.se riots1.jpgFrame 13 www.gprep.org NY_Irish%20mob.jpgFrame 14 www.army.mil ThomasFrancisMeagher.gifFrame 15 www.brotherswar.com [Irish Brigade at The Wheatfield]06-08-02-IrishBrigade-01.jpgFrame 16 www.mapsites.net draft_riots.gifFrame 17 free.freespeech.org newyork%201871.jpgFrame 18 www.mch.gov.nz IrishMiners-p-12a-atl.jpgFrame 19 www.users.drew.edu NYinterior.gif

SourcesSources

www.nps.gov/anti/monuments/Irish_B.htmwww.mapsites.net/gotham/webpages/canfield/Index.htmlmemory.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/irish.htmlwww.scotchirish.net/Who%20are%20the%20Scotch%20Irish.php4www.28thmass.com/irish_in_america.htmwww.ashp.cuny.edu/video/five-10.htmlscripts.ireland.com/ancestor/index.cfm