During the nineteenth century Irish immigration to the USA was on of the turning points of the nation that gave new motherland and new hope to nearly four million of Irish. The dominance of Irish immigration caused to the fact that nearly every third immigrant form 1820 to 1860 was from Ireland, and every fifth immigrant was Irish during the period form 1860 to 1900.
The successive ways? of Irish immigration to the USA in the nineteenth century can be divided in to three waves: the first way started following the War of 1812 and lasted to the famine years (1812-1845), immigration during the famine years (1845-1859) and the immigration during the post famine years.
The policy of British government discouraged the immigration to New England and was interested in the new settlers in its Canadian territories. As a result the travel ticket to Canada was 4 times as cheap as a ticket to New England. But still the great need in labor in fast developing New England territories resulted in the mass immigration of Irishmen to the northeast of the USA, looking for the better place of living. The timber trade as well as development of industry caused a lot of Irish to settle in the north east and made it the place of continuing immigration.
Massive immigration to the USA started with 1845 from the first year of Great potato famine in Ireland. Poor crop years caused by potato disease, resulted in the famine and starvation of millions of Irish poor people and farmers for whom potato was nearly the only affordable meal. British government policy that only aggravated the unbearable conditions of life and increased social discontent, made the rate of immigration indescribable. Those who left Ireland had only one desire to survive and save their children, simply not to die:
“Years later, when they were safely across the water in America, Ireland`s exiles would tell their children born in New York and Boston and Chicago and San Francisco of the sight of food convoys under armed guard making their way past hollow-eyed men, women, and children whose mouths were green from eating grass. Such stories were the foundation upon which the American Irish built their narrative of forced exile and heartrending loss. Their critique of America, of life itself was rooted in the blasted potato fields of their ancestral homeland. So was their determination to do what they could to make Ireland master of its own land.
The departure of the Irish from their stricken land was a mass migration on an epic scale, and in the villages and towns of Ireland a way of life, a communal culture, and an ancient language were wiped out. At the same time, the arrival of the Famine Irish in America transformed the young republic so profoundly that the flight of the hungry from Ireland became a milepost in U.S. history. The Famine Irish immigrants were the original huddled masses. They came not with dreams and plans, but with the modest goal of staying alive. Most were unskilled and poorly educated, a rural people whom the established Americans soon came to regard as dangerous aliens. …”
Irish immigrants were not welcomed in the USA at all. After coming to the US they faced a lot difficulties as well on the hand with universal dislike and hostility. Their poverty and memory of the terrible past back in their motherland made them to work hard and to hold the most unprestigious jobs. They worked on the construction of bridges, canals, railroads on all the most dangerous and low paid jobs. Women had to work hard as well and they took the jobs of chambermaids, cooks, and babysitters. These caused a universal dislike of Irish, because servant jobs were disdained by Americans “Let Negroes be servants, and if not Negroes, let Irishmen fill their place…”
Even though Irish immigrants were associated with uneducated, rude, heavily-drinking and dangerous people their influence as of a group grew. Irishmen were very united and their solidarity was that strength that differentiated them from others. Their cooperation helped them to survive during first hard years of coming to America. This sense of unity as well as the role of the Catholic Church in life of every Irishman caused that “The Irish have become more Americanized than the Americans” as newspapers of that time wrote.
The role of a Church was dominant in their life and it played the unity function. During the years of religious riots in Philadelphia, when lots of catholic churched were burned, the Archbishop Hughes was asked by the New York mayor “Do you fear that some of your churches will be burned.”, but the mayor got the reply “No sir, but I am afraid some of yours will be. We can protect our own.”
As it`s written in Irish Immigrants in America during the 19th Century “…Irish were unique among immigrants. They fiercely loved America but never gave up their allegiance to Ireland…and they kept their hatred of the English. Twice they tried to invade Canada, believing that they could trade Canadian land for Ireland`s freedom. In New York City, during the Civil War, they rioted against the draft lottery after the first drawing showed most of the names were Irish. For three days the city was terrorized by Irish mobs and only after an appeal for peace by Archbishop Hughes did it end. In Pennsylvania they formed a secret organization called the Molly Maguires to fight mine owners who brutalized the miners and their families. They ambushed mine bosses, beat, and even killed them in their homes. The Irish used brutal methods to fight brutal oppression. They loved America and gladly fought in her wars. During the Civil War they were fierce warriors, forming among other groups, the famous “Irish Brigade”. A priest accompanied them and, before each battle, they would pray together before charging into the enemy–even against insurmountable odds. Their faith guided them. They felt the English might have a better life on earth, but they were going to have a better life after death.”
The growing number of Irish immigrants as well as their unity and solidarity reflected not only in strong ethnic communities and religious unity but in their growing power as a social group with interests in politics as well. Irishmen started with showing their interest in urban politics influencing on the results of elections and voting process in their communities, by promising better jobs and services for people if they vote for a particular candidate. Their ethnical unity and mutual dependence was a key factor in the success of penetration to government authorities. As it`s stated in the Irish in America
“The precinct — the smallest unit of local political organization and influence, be it a voting district, a municipal ward, a party clubhouse, a firehouse, or even a saloon — provided the economic stability and the power that enabled Irish Americans to progress into the middle class and beyond. For Irish Catholic America in particular the precinct was the political equivalent, and sometime partner, of the parish. Political and parochial influence built churches and orphanages and schools; it built politicians and, ultimately, it built what came to be known as “machines.”
Tammany Hall in New York City, fell under the sway of the Irish and became a political force — a machine — in the early nineteenth century. … To define Tammany, or to define a machine, one has to contend with mercurial structures enveloped in shadows. The very informality of many of these often unofficial political organizations combined with often brazen politicking, arm—twisting and civic activities makes definition elusive. …Poor immigrants understandably were attracted to a political presence that promised the delivery of services, and the Irish were particularly drawn to this method of organizing, with the result that the political machine is considered an Irish gift to American politics… Consequently the so-called Irish-American political machines mean different things to different people. To some, they were a legitimate means to political ends; to others, they represent all that is corrupt in politics. In truth, they were both…”
After several decades of massive immigration new comers perfectly adapted to their new motherland. By their hard work, unity and solidarity they got not only acceptance in the eyes of Americans, but political power and respect as well. Now the descendents of Irish immigrants form an impressive part of the American nation and citing the words of Orestes Brownson, “Out of these narrow lanes, dirty streets, damp cellars, and suffocating garrets, will come forth some of the noblest sons of our country, whom she will delight to own and honor” we admit that Irish moved from position of poor immigrants, that were not accepted in American society first, to the leading positions in all spheres of American life including positions in White house and oval office (JFK).
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