Irish+to+USA

  The Irish Migration to the United States of America **__Introduction__** The vast amount of Irish people having migrated to the United States of America, occurred as a result of a potato blight, that took place in the year of 1845, although a trend of Irish migration to the USA started much earlier and had already begun to rise to new heights in 1840. The majority of the Irish population worked as subsistence farmers and lived in poverty, whilst dominated by the Protestant British and Scot landlords.The main crop they harvested and fed from was the potato, mainly because three times as much potatoes as corn, the other typical staple crop of the time, could be grown on the same amount of land. Although the potato blight was the main motive of their migration, the suppression they suffered from the British Protestants was also a string motivation. The rule of the Protestant hierarchy enforced that the Irish Catholics were not allowed to purchase land, and greatly limited even their most basic rights. Catholics thus had to pay rent to live on the land taken from them by their oppressors. Over the ten years from the emergence of a fungus disease that migrated to Ireland from Mexico, seven hundred and fifty thousand people died and another two million left their homeland and moved to countries such as England, Canada, and the United States, in search of better job and living opportunities.

After 1845 net migration outward climbed sharply; in 1849, almost 220,000 of the nearly 300,000 emigrants (73%) came to the USA. The population of Ireland, recorded by the commissioners in 1851, was 6,552,385. The Commissioners stated that had the Famine not occurred, the population would have been 9,018,799. The commissioners calculated that, as a percentage of the 1841 population, mortality from 1845 to 1850 was as follows: 1845 : 6.4% 1846 : 9.1% 1847 : 18.5% 1848 : 15.4% 1849 : 17.9% 1850 : 12.2%

A total fall in population from the 10 years of very high migration and mortality is shown on the right in graphical form.

**__Type of Migration - Relation to Ravenstein's Laws__** The Irish moved to other countries, in search for a better life than the one they had in their homeland. The type of migration of the Irish was that of a voluntary and permanent immigration to the United States. A vast population of Irishmen died of diseases such as typhus, scurvy and dysentery, or they simply starved to death. Even in the crisis of famine, the British landlords continued to collect taxes, rents, and food exports in excess of six million pounds. The Irish would not be able to survive in such harsh conditions. Their migration was a result of a natural disaster (famine) and of religious discrimination.

Most Irish people traveling from their homeland to the United States, ended up moving to urban cities. A majority of Irishmen moved to the ports of Massachusetts, New York and Maryland, and worked as servants or in unskilled jobs, predominately the digging of canals or the building of rail roads.
 * __Application of Ravenstein's Laws to the Irish Migration__**
 * ** The longer the journey, the more likely it is that the migrant will end up in a major centre of industry **

The British landlords oppressed the Irish population by their egoistic rules of not being able to purchase land. They gave them no other choice but to rent the land from them and in order to pay for it they would have to work for the landlords. Since potatoes were an easy and cheap crop to grow the potato was a staple in the Irishmen's' diet. However, with emergence of potato blight and widespread fail in the crop, many Irishmen died from diseases or starvation. In order to avoid starvation, mass migration to other places was their only escape. __**Causes Of Migration**__  · Decline in Farm industry (fungus) · High population ( Not enough food supply) · <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Irish fever (infected or rotten food) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Industrial Revolution (machinery vs. people) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Letters from emigrants in USA (increases hope of migrants) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Economy Decline ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Famine (potato blight) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Poverty ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Disease ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">English oppression ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Desperation (to provide for family and have a job) || ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Improved quality of life ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Happiness ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Healthier (no diseases) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Job for woman (increase in family earning) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Drastic increase in pay (farmers gain more pay about 5 times more) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Dream of better life and opportunity ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Improved jobs (industries, and building and mining) ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">More money to support family ||
 * __Compliance of the Additional Laws to the Irish Migration__**
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**//People move mainly for economic reasons, e.g jobs and the opportunity to earn money.//**
 * **//<span style="background-color: #bdff00; color: #de0d0d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Push Factors //** || **//<span style="background-color: #bdff00; color: #de0d0d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Pull Factors //** ||
 * ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">High rate of unemployment

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<span style="background-color: #bdff00; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #bdff00; color: #f93939; display: block; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #bdff00; color: #f93939; display: block; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">__**Changes Occurred Within Irish Migrants Over Time**__ <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Since the start of the potato rot, Irish immigrants have immigrated to America in ever-increasing numbers. However some of the people’s hopes have been shattered and some have enjoyed a new adventure and life. The Irish migrants have began to settle in America after the first couple of years, however they have began to establish communities and regions where the Irish would permanently stay. This made them feel more comfortable. They were in a place they called home, and did not have the worries they once did. The Irish also kept a sense of culture and celebrated “The fourth of July” together as well as decorate their towns. Some of the Irish have settled properly and began their new lives, whereas others have continued to struggle regardless of leaving Ireland, because they have no resources or money from the start. The Irish also encountered social problems since they did not fit in quite well with the Americans. However the African Americans were the ones that disliked the Irish the most, this was a result of the Irish taking over the work and vocation of the African Americans. Also the Irish migrants did not intend to go back to Ireland, since the situation didn’t get better so they remained in contact with friends and families through letters. Never the less, the migrants to who do go back went for family reasons and this was very rare since it was difficult to return. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Irish immigrants have spread all across the U.S; however the poorer ones have stayed close to the port and coast since they do not have money or resources to venture elsewhere. The Irish’s lives have improved a lot and significantly and in the future they will mold into the American way of life, though some of which will keep and follow their culture and tradition, they have also maintained a better lifestyle overall. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> =====

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background-color: #c0ff00; color: #f93939; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 125%; text-align: center;">**__Effects on the Destination: The USA__** Irish emigration to the USA had a huge effect on the destination, as was to be expected given that the Irish came in such great numbers. It is estimated that after the begin of the Great Famine in 1840 two million Irish emigrated to the USA, it is common sense that they would make their mark on the country. The Irish immigrants provided cheap labour to American entrepreneurs as even bad working conditions in the USA were far better than what they would have been suffering in Ireland. On average an Irish immigrant would earn five times as much in the USA as in Ireland. This sparked animosity in the local labourers reaching to such extreme extents as the burning of Catholic churches and outright anti-Irish discrimination with “Irish need not apply” and “No Irish allowed” signs. Despite the hatred they sparked, the Irish certainly had a great effect on many of the large scale construction projects of the time. The labour work involved with the digging of canals such as the Erie Canal, and the construction of the cross continental rail road, can be attributed to Irish workers almost to 100%.

Aside from being a formidable work force, the Irish immigrants also brought their culture with them, a culture that conflicted with the local culture. The Irish that emigrated to the USA were those who were poor and suffering. Such distinctions were as good as synonymous with being a Catholic in Ireland, as anyone non-Catholic would almost certainly have ties to the British and thus own some property or land and have some wealth to ease any discomforts a famine may cause to the point that emigration would not be necessary. Therefore the Irish immigrants to the USA were Catholic to a near homogeneity and that was of course reflected in the quick springing up of Catholic churches and communities wherever the Irish settled.The effects of the Irish settlement are as evident today as ever, when over 12% of all Americans can trace their ancestry to Ireland, and over 25% describe their religious affiliation as Catholic. Indeed in terms of discrimination against the Irish hardly a voice can be raised, it would appear that the immigrants of the 1840s have since become integrated Americans.

<span style="background-color: #c0ff00; color: #f93939; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 125%; text-align: center;">**__Effects on the Origin: Ireland__** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #f93939; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 125%; text-align: center;"> Before the Great Famine Ireland was the most densely populated country of all countries that kept such statistics. After the vast amounts of migration due to the famine Ireland was the least densely populated. Just as the potato never retook the position of the staple crop, Ireland didn't return to its pre-famine statistics in terms of population density. A total of about 3 million people migrated, died, or otherwise left the Irish population pyramid between 1846 and 1850. This massive decrease of people living in Ireland can be held directly responsible for the steady increase in overall standard of living in Ireland over the course of the 100 years that followed.

It turns out that with the industrial revolution a very large amount of the available jobs in Ireland literally went away overnight. By the time of 1840 unemployment rates where at unprecedented heights and the Irish were being squeezed for every last penny in taxes and rent from the British landlords and officials. The giant decline in population negated the uneven available work to people ratio and Ireland had the opportunity to improve its situation for the first time since the beginning of industrialisation. Ironically the famine and resulting emigration had lasting positive effects on Ireland. <span style="background-color: #c0ff00; color: #f93939; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 125%; text-align: center;">**__Bibliography__** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Hanson, Luther "Out Of Ireland: The History Of Irish Emigration To America." Magill Book Reviews (1996): Advanced Placement Source. EBSCO. Web. 14 Oct. 2009.

United States. //United States Census 2009//. Web. 16 Oct 2009. <http://www.census.gov>.


 * "IRISH POTATO FAMINE AND TRADE (HISTORY) ." Irish Potato Famine. 10 005 1996. American University of Washington, D.C., Web. 16 Oct 2009. <http://www1.american.edu/ted/potato.htm>.

"Irish Migration." Assumption College, Web. 16 Oct 2009. <http://www1.assumption.edu/ahc/Irish/overview.html>.

Corma, Ó Gráda. "EH: Net Encyclopedia: Ireland's Great Famine." Ireland's Great Famine. University College of Dublin, Web. 16 Oct 2009. <http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/ograda.famine>.

Gribben, Arthur. The great famine and the Irish diaspora in America. Masachusetts: University of Massachusetts Press, 1999. Print. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">“Cause of Irish Emigration.” Think Quest Library. 15 Oct 2009. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">"The Irish.” Think Quest Library. 14 Oct 2009. [].  "The Potato Disease, October 16, 2009" The Illustrated London News, 1996-08-08 [|http://vassun.vassar.edu/~sttaylor/FAMINE/ILN/PotatoDisease.html]