Irish Immigrants: From Famine to Integration

Introduction

The story of Irish immigrants in the United States is one of the most significant pieces of American history, intertwined with the experiences of millions of people for more than 200 years. The Irish arrived in America in large numbers, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries. They left behind a world that was ravaged by famine, poverty, and political upheaval. They arrived in a new world with adventure and possibilities beyond their wildest dreams. Here, they found a new home, new jobs, and new challenges. In this article, we will explore the reasons that brought the Irish to the US, review their lives in the country, and examine the contribution of Irish immigrants to American society.

The History of Irish Immigration

Ireland has a tumultuous and tragic history of colonization and oppression that stretches back to the twelfth century. Irish people had been persecuted for centuries, forced to endure years of famine, political turmoil, religious crises, and economic strife. These hardships forced the Irish people to flee their homeland in search of a better life elsewhere.

The first waves of Irish immigration to America date back to the 1700s. These early immigrants were mainly Protestant Irish who intermarried with other Protestant immigrants from England, Scotland, and Germany. However, this early migration was insignificant in comparison to the mass exodus that began in the mid-1800s.

The Great Famine of 1845-1849 was one of the most devastating periods in Irish history. The famine was caused by a potato blight which destroyed the potato crop, the principal staple of the Irish diet. Over one million people died from starvation and disease, and an additional two million fled the country in search of a better life. The United States welcomed many Irish immigrants during this period, and the Irish population in America grew from 23,000 in 1820 to 1.6 million by 1850.

Life as an Irish Immigrant in America

The experience of the Irish immigrant was not always a positive one. The arrival of immigrants from Ireland caused deep concern among many Americans. The Irish faced discrimination, racism, and hostility as they struggled to establish themselves in a new country. They were often viewed as a burden on American society, accused of taking jobs from locals, as well as landing welfare programs. The Irish were also seen as a threat because of their Catholic beliefs, which were not widely accepted in America.

One of the most significant hurdles that the Irish immigrants faced was finding employment. They were often forced to take low-paying jobs with long hours and poor conditions. Many ended up working on the railroads, building canals, or engaging in manual labor. The Irish became particularly associated with the police and firefighting agencies in many US cities, and they were respected for their bravery and work ethic.

The Irish also formed close-knit communities that helped them to survive and thrive in America. The bonds of the Irish community provided a safety net for those in need, with churches and other organizations offering help to those who were struggling to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, the Irish immigrants embraced American culture, setting up businesses, participating in politics, and contributing to American society.

The Integration of Irish Immigrants into American Society

The integration of the Irish people into American society was a slow and gradual process. For the most part, the Irish had to fight against prejudice and discrimination throughout the 19th century. However, as Irish-Americans began to rise in power and influence, they were ultimately able to break down the barriers that had previously erected against them.

Today, Irish-Americans have achieved integration at every level of society. They have demonstrated their abilities and talents in a wide variety of fields from medicine and law to science, business, and entertainment. The Irish are also well-represented in politics; many prominent politicians, including John F. Kennedy, are of Irish descent.

Despite being called white today, Irish immigrants were not always seen that way in the past. The seminal case of Leonard v. Watson in 1878 reinforced Irish-Americans’ claim to be considered white. In that case, an Irish plaintiff, James Leonard, sued the Census Bureau for classifying him as colored. The bitter irony is that it was the Irish themselves who were part of the white mob who attacked black homes and businesses in New York City during the Draft Riots of 1863, and again in 1910 when Arthur Dongan led a mob that attacked the Italian colony in New Orleans.

Irish Immigrant Contributions to American Society

Since the early days of immigration to the United States, the Irish have played a significant role in shaping and contributing to American society. The Irish have made significant contributions in many areas, including politics, entertainment, science, and business.

Politics

Irish-Americans have had a major impact on American politics. Because of their tenacity, they have been able to gain leadership roles in many levels of the American government. Irish-Americans have held the highest office in the land since John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960 – the List includes As a senator, Ted Kennedy helped shape policy on issues ranging from civil rights to health care. Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, has claimed partial Irish heritage through her paternal grandparents, and others such as John Lewis Fetscher who served as a U.S. Secretary of War under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kenny’s predecessor, Dwight D. Eisenhower had roots in Ireland.

Entertainment

Irish-Americans have also made significant contributions to American entertainment. In the early years of Hollywood, many Irish actors, directors, and producers helped shape the film industry. Entrepreneurs such as William Fox of 20th Century Fox, Louis B. Mayer of MGM, and Herbert J. Yates of Republic Studios were all of Irish descent. In music, there is an ethnic subgenre of Country and Folk music known as Irish Traditional. It originated in the early 20th century and has since become a prominent facet of American music.

Science

Irish-Americans have also contributed significantly to the field of science. Nuclear physicist Ernest Walton was the first person to split the atom through his research on nuclear fission, for which he won a Nobel Prize in 1951. Robert Boyle, one of Ireland’s greatest scientists, is known as the father of modern chemistry. His contributions include the development of Boyle’s Law, which describes how gases react under different pressures. Professor William C. Campbell won a Noble Prize in 2015 as part of a team finding a cure for river blindness, a parasitic disease among the world’s poorest populations.

Business

Irish immigrants’ contributions to the business world are immeasurable. The Irish have triumphed in the face of adversity to create companies that employ thousands of Americans and whose products and services impact the world. Many well-known companies, including Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, were started by Irish entrepreneurs. One of the best-known examples of an Irish-owned conglomerate is the IT company Dell. The company was founded by Michael Dell, who was born to an Irish-American family in Texas.

Conclusion

The story of Irish immigrants in the United States offers a window into a key chapter of American history. The immigrants overcame many obstacles to build new lives and make significant contributions to American society. They rose to the top in politics, business, science, and entertainment and are now part of the American cultural fabric. Their lives stand as a testament to the resilience and courage of ordinary people seeking a better life in a new world. As Irish-American Gene Kelly revealed, As long as we remember our roots, we’ll continue pulling Irish America into the future.

The largest Irish immigration to America occurred during a 60 year span in the 1800s; from around the 1820s to the 1880s, the largest movement of Irish Immigrants to America occured. A good number of these individuals were poor farmers, who were suffering in Ireland because of the the inconsistency in their crops and famine that was sweeping the nation. For others, the political disputes and overall turmoil were enough to have them find a new alternative for their families.

In America, the Irish immigrants brought what little money that had over with them. For some, it was enough to acquire plots of land and begin farming and building lives in this new world. For others, there was a necessity to find jobs that could support the family and help them to build lives for themselves here. One of the fortunate events occurring was the expansion of the transportation industry; this required the muscle of many men to build canals and railways, along with various other laborious endeavors. What this brought to the Irish immigrants was the beginning of freedom and sustainability.

In this 60 year span of Irish immigration to America, there were several million Irish immigrants who moved to America. When we look at this in juxtaposition to immigration to Ireland from America, there is a large gap. Immigration to Ireland is significantly lower; one can surmise that there are many reasons for this; like the expansion of the United States and it’s ever-progressive states and the constant expansion of borders. However, there is no specific reason as to why the rates are so different, but can be surmised that the Irish immigrant population and become a large portion of today’s families in the United States.