Irish In America Research Paper

This report will be about the Irish in America that was discussed in the documentary and Text book. This will discuss the reasoning behind there mass exodus from Ireland. It will also discuss their trial along with their desire to succeed.

In Ireland in 1845 there was a famine that crossed the whole country, which caused a mass exodus of Irish immigrants. Most of these people had never been more that fifteen miles from home. Over the next decade approxitmely 1,500,000 Irish men and woman left Ireland. These immigrants dispersed themselves throughout the world with most landing in America.

Taking very little with them besides the clothing on their backs, they included their songs, stories and religion. Most parents would even leave their

children, once in America they would attempt to make money, then send for them. Many of these children never see their parents again, do to not knowing which ship or port that they would land on.
The immigrants would leave in any way they could, even being used as a balancing weight for ships.

For those that made the journey, would be scared, starving and no money once they arrived in America. The Irish landed in America all along the Eastern sea board, they are considered the first refugee population in America.

Once they arrived they would migrate to where other Irish would be staying, to give themselves some familiarity. Living in what was called a Shanty, a home or building that would be divided up into multiple homes. Once divided the Shanty’s would house five to six times the amount of people they were originally designed for.

Once in America they would attempt to gather any job they could require, most becoming ditch diggers. The Irish worker was cheap labor, average pay of eight cents a day compared to the American worker average of a dollar twenty five a day. Slave owners would even hire the Irish to dangerous jobs, because they felt they were less valuable than the slaves they owned.

Because of this diversity in pay, free blacks even made more money than the Irish. By 1850 there was a war brewing between the Irish and the Blacks of America. The Irish gangs would go out, stone or beat the blacks, attempting to run them off from the jobs that where

available.
By the time the Civil War began, the Irish either volunteered or were drafted to fight on both sides of the north and south. The Irish were known for their bravery and willingness to give their lives for their country. Because of this bravery pomes and songs where wrote about them.
With the end of the Civil War, the industrial revolution begins. This revolution will push the railroads further south and west, along with the Irish workers laying the railroad tracks. These jobs where grabbed up by the Irish men, Irish women more reluctant to travel along were left behind. The Irish women staying, would start working domestic jobs, mostly as maids.
The Catholic religion also becomes a staple for the Irish. By the end of the century there are over 3,000 Irish priest in America, amounting to more than all of Ireland. The church parish become the gathering spot for the Irish and plays a major role in their civilization. For the Irish the Catholic Church stood as the first creation of Irish America.
By the end of the century, the Irish become a large staple in America. Producing boxing champions, Gold mine owners, along with the discoverer of the largest copper mine in the world. These few men never willing to give up, change the outlook of the Irish not only to other Americans but to the Irish themselves.
The Irish come from one of the most humble beginnings for an immigrant in American history. Once established, they proved through hard work that they would prosper. No matter what tribulation was thrown at them, the Irish pushed through to become Americans.