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Ethnic Groups And Discrimination: Irish Americans. Irish immigration to the
United States did not come without its share of hardships. ...
Irish Americans. Though life in ... prophecy rang true. Irish-Americans had moved
from the position of the despised to the oval office.
... The Irish Americans gained some respectability for their involvement in the
Civil War and were now more accepted by American society. ...
... The Irish Americans gained some respect for their involvement in the Civil
War and were now more accepted by American society. The ...
... Filename: Intdesti.wps Paper Title: Intention African-Americans & Irish
Americans/Views [ send me this paper ] A 15 page research paper on the reasons why ...
Submitted by cheapthrills on July 22, 2008
Category: History Other
Words: 1220 | Pages: 5
Views: 16
Popularity Rank: 117,911
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Though life in Ireland was cruel, emigrating to America was not a joyful event...it was referred to as the American Wake for these people knew they would never see Ireland again. Those who pursued this path did so only because they new their future in Ireland would only be more poverty, disease, and English oppression. America became their dream. Early immigrant letters described it as a land of abundance and urged others to follow them through the "Golden Door." These letters were read at social events encouraging the young to join them in this wonderful new country. They left in droves on ships that were so crowded, with conditions so terrible, that they were referred to as Coffin Ships.
Even as the boat was docking, these immigrants to America learned that life in America was going to be a battle for survival. Hundreds of runners, usually large greedy men, swarmed aboard the ship grabbing immigrants and their bags trying to force them to their favorite tenement house and then exact an outrageous fee for their services. As the poor immigrant had no means of moving on, they settled in the port of arrival. Almshouses were filled with these Irish immigrants. They begged on every street. One honest immigrant wrote home at the height of the potato famine exodus, "My master is a great tyrant, he treats me as badly as if I was a common Irishman." The writer further added, "Our position in America is one of shame and poverty." No group was considered lower than an Irishman in America during the 1850s.
Free land did not lure them. They rejected the land for the land had rejected them; yet even so they always spoke reverently of the old sod in Ireland. All major cities had their "Irish Town" or "Shanty Town" where the Irish clung together. Our immigrant ancestors were not wanted in America. Ads for employment often were followed by "NO IRISH NEED APPLY." They were forced to live in cellars and shanties, partly because of poverty but also...
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